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4 




ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


XTbe Hlpg Serteg 

BY 

UNA MACDONALD 

Alys-All-Alone . . $1.50 
Alys in Happyland . 1.50 

L. C. PAGE & COMPANY 
53 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass. 





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FOR FIFTY YARDS OR MORE THE PONIES KEPT TOGETHER.” 

{See page 179 .) 








m 

^ XTbc HIijs Sertcs 

1 

1 ALYS IN 
j HAPPYLAND 

1 

^ UNA MACDONALD 

^ Author of “Alys-All-Alone," etc. 

1 

ILLUSTRATED BY 

p| DIANTHA HORNE MARLOWE 

1 

1 

1 

f BOSTON 

i L. C. PAGE & COMPANY 

1 MDCCCCXIII 




•tA\S3 

A.'^v 


Copyright, 1913, by 
L. C. Page & Company 
(incorporated) 

All rights reserved 

First Impression, August, 1913 


THE COLONIAL PRESS 
C. H. 8IMONDS & CO., BOSTON, U. 8. A. 



©CI.A.354180 


We^ll wind the WAT TO Happtland 
O’er fields of scented clover, 

Through miles and miles of sunny smiles 
And blue skies bending over. 

O’er sun-lit walks, and love-lit talks, 
With elfs of laughter hiding. 

And voices sweet to lure the feet; 

And baby fingers guiding. 

Come, let’s away to Happyland; 

But leave the tears behind us. 

For, if we stay where children plat, 

Old age may never find us. 



CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PACE 


I. 

A Peep at the New Nest 



1 

II. 

Alys at Brightwood . 



14 

III. 

A Surprise for Alys . 



26 

IV. 

A Strange Disappearance . 



35 

V. 

A Mystery Solved 



49 

VI. 

Alys Finds a Bunch . 



60 

VII. 

An Interrupted Dinner Party 


78 

VIII. 

“A Fish Chariot” 



89 

IX. 

Alys Plays Postman . 



103 

X. 

A New Acquaintance . 



121 

XI. 

A Jingle Story 



128 

XII. 

A Picnic in Happyland. 



138 

XIII. 

Family Cares 



157 

XIV. 

A Visit to Brierwood 



171 

XV. 

The Most Wonderful Doll 

IN 

THE 



World 



182 

XVI. 

Scotch Mist .... 



195 

XVII. 

Adventures of Arabella . 



216 

XVIII. 

Lady Arabella Returns . 



226 

XIX. 

A Fiddler! .... 



236 

XX. 

A Talk with the Professor 



244 

XXL 

^^A Witches^ Circus’^ 



253 


viii 

CONTENTS 


CHAPTER 


PAGE 

XXIL 

Little Boy True . 

. 266 

XXIII. 

The Professor’s Spectacles . 

. 276 

XXIV. 

The Cosey Sisters ” 

. 292 

XXV. 

Good News 

. 302 

XXVI. 

A Reel and a Riddle 

. 311 

XXVII. 

Auf Wiedersehen 

. 323 


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 


PAGE 

“ For fifty yards or more the ponies kept 

TOGETHER ’’ {See page 179) . . Frontispiece 

Alys tripped along ’’ 52 

“ ‘ She’s mine! ’ said Alys ” .... 73 

“ Alys poured the tea ” 93 

Arabella sat in the back yard and stared 

AT THEM ” 167 

^‘Suddenly she came upon a gray Maltese 

MONSTER ” 284 



ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


OHAPTEK I 

A PEEP AT THE NEW NEST 

T PEEL as if something good were go- 
I ing to happen, to-day,’^ said Alys, as 
she sat in her mother’s lap, one bright 
morning, looking out of the window. 

Something good is going to happen to- 
day, Alys.” ^ 

Oh! I knew it! I just felt it! Please 
tell me what it is,” cried Alys, eagerly. 

I’ll give you three guesses, Alys.” 

Give me one more, mother. Give me 
four guesses, please.” 

Well, you may have four guesses.” 

First of all, mother dear, I guess that 
Dorothy Clover and her mother are com- 
ing.” 

“ My little girl has not guessed right. I 
know that Dorothy and her mother are not 
coming to-day.” 


1 


2 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


Then I guess that I am going to get a 
new doll/^ 

<< Wrong again, Alys.’’ 

My third guess is that Do-re is going 
to tell us about a lovely surprise, like the 
biggest doll party in the world that he 
planned when I was Alys- All-Alone, you 
know.” 

Mother shook her head with a smile, and 
Alys puzzled her childish brain to try and 
discover the good thing that was going to 
happen. 

What can it be, mother dear? But 
there— don’t tell me yet— I have one more 
guess and I’ve just thought of something — 
Perhaps you and papa are going to take me 
to some place.” 

What a good little guesser you are, my 
dear — that is just what we are going to 
do! ” 

Oh, goody! Where are we going, 
mother? ” 

We are going to take a ride in the steam 
cars, away out to the suburbs, and, when 
we get there, we shall look at a new nest.” 

A new nest, mother? ” 


A PEEP AT THE NEW NEST 3 

Yes, a new nest, Alys, and that means 
a new home for us! It is almost ready, so 
very soon we shall have to leave this suite 
and move into it/’ 

But, mother, dear, what will become of 
my Castle of Sunshine? ” 

You shall have your Castle of Sunshine, 
Alys; all your dolls and toys and every- 
thing — a larger, lovelier Castle — just 
wait till you see it.” 

Here’s papa now,” cried Alys, slipping 
from her mother’s lap as the door opened 
and the Musician entered, followed by 
Do-re. 

Do-re, too. Oh, goody! ” cried Alys. 

Are you going to see our new home, 
Do-re? ” 

Yes, we’ll all go together,” said her 
father, and it’s time we started now.” 

It did not take long to get ready. In less 
than an hour Alys was sitting beside her old 
friend Do-re in the long train that was 
speeding on its way to the green fields and 
wooded hills of Brightwood. 

Are the things really fi3dng. Do-re? ” 
asked Alys, as she pressed her little nose 


4 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


against the window to watch the trees and 
houses, the fields and telegraph poles. 

No, indeed,’’ replied Do-re, shaking his 
head wisely — 

If houses and hills could fly, my dear, 

It wouldn^t be safe to buy, my dear. 

For we might take a nap, and wake up a Jap, 

Or any old thing like that, my dear.” 

Do-re, that’s a jingle! ” 

I know it, Alys; Jingle Jack is so busy 
at times that I’m afraid that he hasn’t room 
enough in which to work. I’ll have to get 
him larger quarters.” 

What do you mean. Do-re? ” 

I mean a lot of things, Alys, that I’ll 
tell you about by and by. Now, I want to 
tell you about the pretty new home that 
will be yours in a day or two. Lucky little 
Alys to have such a home! ” 

All little boys and girls have homes, 
don’t they? ” 

Not like yours, Alys. I know a boy who 
lost his father and mother when he was just 
as old as you are now — he never knew the 
kind of home that you will have.” 


A PEEP AT THE NEW NEST 5 

What was his name, Do-re? ’’ 

His name is Adam Garret.’’ 

“ Was he lonesome, Do-re? ” 

He used to be, Alys; that was when he 
thought too much about himself — one day 
he found out that there were ever so many 
interesting people — big and little — in the 
world beside young Adam Garret, and he 
woke up — now he’s almost never lone- 
some.” 

The conversation was interrupted at this 
point by the sudden appearance of the con- 
ductor, who put his head inside the door of 
the car and called out: — 

Next station is Brightwood — Bright- 
wood! ” 

‘‘ And Brightwood is where our journey 
ends,” whispered Do-re. 

I like the name, I think it’s pretty! ” 
exclaimed the child. 

And the place is even prettier than the 
name,” declared her mother, who had over- 
heard the remark. 

I hope my little girl will like it as much 
as we do,” said her father, turning to smile 
at the eager little face. 


6 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

I like it already — I love it!’’ cried 
Alys, with childish enthusiasm; ‘‘ and I 
hope there are lots of little girls and boys to 
play with — and ducks in the pond and 
fairies in the fields.” 

‘‘ I hope so, too, Alys,” whispered Do-re. 

And here we are at last,” he cried, as the 
whistle blew and the train slowed up. 

Alys danced for joy when at last it 
stopped. Do-re helped her out of the car, 
and then held out both hands, which she 
took in her own and, with one little jump, 
was on the platform. 

You didn’t know that I lived in Bright- 
wood when I was a little boy, did you, 
Alys? ” said Do-re, as they followed the 
musician and his wife along the path that 
led to the street. 

No, I didn’t know. Do-re; you never 
told me — where did you live? ” 

Do you see that little mountain over 
there? ” said Do-re, pointing to a great hill 
on their left. 

Yes, I see it,” cried Alys, there’s a 
big gray house on the top of that hill, — it 
looks like a giant’s castle.” 


A PEEP AT THE NEW NEST 7 

Or an ogre’s house,” laughed Do-re. 
Does a giant really live up there? ” 
Not a giant of the fairy stories, Alys; 
but a very giant in intellect. A very 
learned man lives in that big house, Alys, 
and he happens to be my Uncle John, known 
to the world as Professor Grayle.” 

Does he live there in that great house 
all alone. Do-re? ” 

All alone with his books and his speci- 
mens, my dear.” 

Is he lonesome. Do-re? ” 

Ah! if he only were, he might be 
human, Alys! ” 

‘‘ What do you mean? ” 

Some day I’ll tell you; but just now 
I’d rather not talk about it. I lived there 
when I was a little boy, and when I was a 
big boy, too, and I was not very happy — 
you see. Uncle John was interested in all 
sorts of small specimens except a small 
human specimen, and — well — Uncle John 
has a scientific mind, Alys, and I have n'ot, 
and so we parted.” 

A short walk over a stone bridge, and 
through a street lined with maple trees, 


8 ALYS IN HAPPYLANDi 

brought our friends at last to their new 
house. Such a pretty, bright house it was! 
Outside, there was plenty of garden room, 
and delightful possibilities for future flower- 
beds suggested themselves. Indeed, a 
Crimson Rambler had already made a fair 
start to climb over the front porch, and 
some good seed fairy of the past had 
dropped a russet apple tree a stone’s throw 
from the back door. And inside the house, 
— but there I will give only a hint of the 
charm of it. 

There was a great living-room with an 
open fireplace, wainscoted walls, beamed 
ceiling and built-in couches and book-cases. 
The prevailing color of this delightful room 
was a rich, dark red. 

Then there was the dining-room, with its 
built-in china closet, wainscoted walls, with 
plate-rail at top, and a beamed ceiling — 
best of all, this pretty room was connected 
by large French windows with a glass-en- 
closed summer dining-veranda. The color 
scheme of this room was white and gold. 

The hall was finished in natural wood, 
with mahogany for stair-rail and balusters 


A PEEP AT THE NEW NEST 9 

— but why go into detail? — let it suffice 
to say that there were ever so many pleas- 
ant rooms in the new house, including one 
great, wide, sunny play-room, which was 
not merely a play-room, you remember, but 

The Castle of Sunshine and Cheer.’’ 

Now it so happened that, while father and 
mother and Do-re were going through the 
pretty rooms, Alys, unnoticed, slipped 
away and stood at a long window looking at 
a bit of woods that stretched away in the 
rear of the house, and, while standing there, 
she saw something red moving in and out 
among the bushes. What could it be? Our 
little girl tried very hard to make out what 
this moving red object was; but she could 
catch only a glimpse, now and then, of the 
bright color. 

I must see what it is! ” thought Alys, 
and, raising the long window, she stepped 
on the veranda, and ran, as quickly as her 
two little legs would carry her, toward the 
spot where she had seen the bit of red. 
Through the back yard, and over a stone 
hedge, right into the woods ran Alys; but 
stopped suddenly to listen to the sweetest 


10 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

warbling she had ever heard. It sounded 
as if a dozen birds were holding forth in one 
grand concert. 

The child stood very still and listened 
till the crackling of a twig made her turn 
quickly and she beheld, not a bird, but a 
little girl, about her own age, in a faded red 
plaid dress, picking up sticks, trilling and 
whistling in the most wonderful way. All 
at once the whistling girl raised a pair of 
dark eyes that met Alys’s blue ones with a 
question in their depths. The pretty war- 
bling ceased as she looked shyly at this 
strange little girl who had entered her 
woods. 

‘‘Oh! Don’t stop, be a bird again, won’t 
you, please? ” cried Alys. 

“ Aye — if you like it, I will,” said the 
stranger, and immediately she gave one 
long shrill whistle, broken here and there 
by little trills, then came a low warble that 
rose gradually higher and higher until it 
ended in a mournful shriek — suddenly it 
was the soft cooing of doves, so perfect that 
one would think the pretty creatures were 
fluttering over the child’s head, and again 


A PEEP AT THE NEW NEST 11 

a bobolink call, that gurgled and rippled 
and trilled, prolonged for a minute loud and 
clear, then growing fainter and fainter until 
it died away in one, wee note. 

‘‘ Thank you,’’ said Alys, who had re- 
mained spellbound during this perform- 
ance. “ Who taught you do it so beauti- 
fully? ” 

Nobody taught me; I just listened to 
the birds,” answered the stranger. 

It seemed as if a brown bird, overhead, 
would burst his tiny throat in his efforts to 
be heard; but these two little girls were not 
listening to him at all. They were smiling 
at each other as only two dear little girls 
can smile, and trying very hard to become 
acquainted with each other. At last the 
silence was broken. 

‘‘ My name is Alys, — Alys Von Mayer,” 
said one courageously. 

“ Mine is Jane — Jane Lawrie,” ven- 
tured the other. 

I am going to live in that new house,” 
Alys went on, pointing backward over the 
trees. “ We are going to move out here in 
a few days.” 


12 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND; 

I live in a little house in these woods/’ 
said Jane, ‘‘ and I was just picking up 
sticks for auld Mazie’s fire.” 

Who is auld Mazie? ” asked Alys. 

<< Why she’s auld Mazie — just that — 
she takes care o’ me and I* take care o’ her; 
and faither, he takes care o’ both of us.” 

It sounds like a pretty story,” said 
Alys. 

‘‘It’s no story,” declared this old-fash- 
ioned little girl, “ my mither died in the 
auld country, and Mazie was just a neebor 
then; but, when me and faither came over 
here to live, auld Mazie came, too, to keep 
the house, — but she’s vera old and a little 
lame; but I look out for her — I get the 
nice dry sticks to make her fire every day 
while faither ’s away on the railroad.” 

“Oh! Jane, I’m going to have you for 
one of my little friends. Will you come and 
play with me sometimes? ” 

“ Aye, that I will,” returned Jane; “ but 
now I must go home with my sticks, so I will 
say good-by.” 

“ Good-by, Jane, good-by.” 

She was gone, with her bundle of dry 


A PEEP AT THE NEW NEST 13 

twigs in her arms; but Alys stood there 
and watched the old plaid dress until it dis- 
appeared behind a clump of bushes. 

I^m sorry she^s gone; but I’m glad I 
know her,” thought Alys, as she turned re- 
luctantly and started for the house. 

Suddenly her footsteps quickened, and, 
when the long window was reached she 
cried out joyously, Mother! Father! 
Do-re ! I want to tell you something — 
come and hear the good news — I know a 
new little girl; she’s going to be my friend! 
She’s coming to play with me! Her name 
is Jane and I love her! She’s a bird! ” 


CHAPTER n 

ALYS AT BRIGHTWOOD 

A LYS had moved at last from the 
street of great apartment houses to 
the suburbs, and was now happily 
situated in her new home at Brightwood. 
For days everybody was too busy even to 
talk to a small girl, and therefore she had 
to amuse herself. Of course there were ever 
so many interesting things to do. First of 
all there were the doll children to be shown 
all over their new home, inside and out. 
Then there were walks to be taken with 
these same doll children. The pretty bit of 
woods back of the house had to be explored, 
besides other pleasant duties, too numerous 
to mention. 

One morning, when mother was very 
busy, Alys took her best doll, Rosamond, 
and went out to play. She strolled into the 
woods and reached the very spot where she 
14 


ALYS AT BRIGHTWOOD 15 

had first heard Jane Lawrie warbling so 
beautifully. 

‘‘ I wish that I could see Jane now,” said 
Alys, thinking aloud. 

The words had hardly passed her lips 
when a child’s clear voice sang: — 

Chic-a-dee — chic-a-dee — tra-la-la — 
tra-la-le.” 

It may be Jane,” cried Alys, hurrying 
in the direction of the sound. It was Jane, 
and a plump, rosy-cheeked lass she was, as 
she took a hop, skip, and a jump that 
brought her to the side of Alys. 

My I but your doll is a beauty,” cried 
Jane. Has she a name? ” 

Yes, her name is Rosamond; she’s my 
best doll.” 

Why, Rosamond, ducky diamond! you 
are a vera sweet child,” exclaimed Jane, 
and I wish I had brought my own Lady 
Arabella.” 

Who is Lady Arabella? ” asked Alys. 

Why, that’s the name of my doll. She’s 
a right good doll, too; but spills her por- 
ridge sometimes when I’m not looking.” 
‘‘Oh! How I’d love to see Lady Ara- 


16 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

bella,’^ cried Alys; ‘‘ won’t you please go 
home and get her and we’ll play house.” 

I’ll go at once,” said the little Scotch 

girl. 

May I go, too, Jane? ” 

Yes, if your mother is willing,” rer 
turned Jane; ‘‘it’s only a few steps along 
this path.” 

“ Let’s go and ask my mother,” said Alys. 
Then the children ran through the woods, 
and never stopped till they reached the 
house. 

Alys’s mother, herself, came to the door, 
and, although she was very busy that morn- 
ing, she lingered awhile to talk to J ane and 
laughed softly at the remarks of this quaint 
little girl. Alys was told she might go to 
Jane’s house for the doll, and the two little 
girls fairly flew over the woodland path un- 
til they came to a small red cottage with 
very green shutters and a tiny porch, on 
which sat a little old woman sewing. 

“ Now, now,” said old Mazie, looking up 
from her work, “ are ye back again, lass, 
sa soon? Didna I tell ye to rin awa an’ 
play? ” 


ALYS AT BRIGHTWOOD 17 

Aye, and I answered Jane; but 
first I want my doll.’’ 

Take it, then, an’ rin like a guid lass.” 

Alys smiled at the old woman and tried to 
talk with her, especially when Jane whis- 
pered that old Mazie knew real, true stories 
about the fairies. The old woman plied her 
busy needle, and never raised her eyes until 
Jane darted out of the tiny cottage with the 
strangest-looking doll that Alys had ever 
seen. 

It was an immense rag doll, almost as tall 
as J ane herself, and nearly twice as plump, 
with ever so many funny skirts and petti- 
coats and an old green tam-o’-shanter on its 
flat head. There was an uncanny look about 
Lady Arabella that seemed to fascinate 
Alys. She could not take her eyes from 
Jane’s queer doll. 

Jane,” she whispered, as they went on 
their way, ‘‘ I think that your doll looks 
like a real child.” 

Real! ” exclaimed Jane, why, she is 
a real child — a real naughty child, some- 
times! Didna I tell you she spilt her por- 
ridge? ” 


18 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

But, truly, Jane, she looks alive! ” 

She is alive,” whispered Jane. 

Hush-sh, she mustn’t hear me telling 
you, Alys; but she’s alive at night when 
I’m asleep in bed; auld Mazie says that’s 
the time she gets alive.” 

Does she really? ” gasped Alys, stand- 
ing perfectly still in the path. 

Cross my heart — hope to die,” an- 
swered Jane. I never saw her alive; but 
auld Mazie has, ever so many times, and, 
if you knew the naughty things Arabella 
does, you’d know she really did get alive — 
look at her clothes — the jade! Did you 
ever see such a dirty dress — I’ll have to 
spank her right now for it.” 

‘‘Oh! please don’t whip her so hard,” 
implored Alys; “ she’ll be more care- 
ful, I’m sure — besides, you know, you 
have to — er — wash her sometimes, 
don’t you, Jane; and hang her up to 
dry? ” 

“ Do they hang you up to dry, Alys? ” 

“ N-no, because I’m alive, you see; but 
they wash my clothes and hang them 
up.” 


ALYS AT BRIGHTWOOD 19 

Well, Alys, that doll is alive — she does 
all sorts of naughty things at night when 
I’m in bed. Sometimes I dream about it, 
and she knows I’m dreaming, too, because 
I got her from the fairies.” 

Really, Jane! ” 

Yes, Alys, auld Mazie saw the fairies 
at home in Scotland with her own eyes, one 
moonlight night when I was a baby, come 
to the window and throw Lady Arabella 
right at me in my cradle — that’s how I 
got her.” 

‘‘Oh! What a perfectly wonderful doll! ” 
cried Alys, looking at the great rag doll 
with renewed interest. 

They had reached the house at last, and 
both little girls dropped into rocking-chairs 
on the piazza and began to rock their 
dolls. 

“ Let’s change dolls for awhile,” sug- 
gested Jane. “ You hold my Lady Arabella 
and I’ll hold your Rosamond.” 

“I’m half afraid of her,” laughed Alys; 
“ she’s so big and she looks at me so 
queer and— Oh-h, Jane, what are you 
doing? ” 


20 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

I’m spanking her again — she winked 
at me when you was na looking.” 

Jane Lawrie! You mustn’t say what is 
not true! ” 

Wait,” said Jane, rolling her eyes in 
the strangest way; she won’t let you see 
her do it, but she does things when no one 
is looking, for auld Mazie has caught her 
many a time.” 

Tell me some more about her,” said 
Alys, full of childish interest. 

“I’m afraid you would not believe me,” 
said Jane; “ but, if you’ll come wi’ me to 
auld Mazie, she’ll tell you.” 

“Let’s go at once,” cried Alys, and, 
jumping to her feet, she hurried from the 
piazza; then, over the hedge went the two 
children to visit auld Mazie and hear about 
the wonderful doll. Lady Arabella. 

The little old woman was still sewing in 
the porch; but she dropped her work at 
sight of the two little girls, and waved her 
hand. 

“ Mazie,” shouted Jane, “ this Alys girl 
does not believe that Lady Arabella gets 
alive at night when I’m asleep in bed. 


ALYS AT BRIGHTWOOD 


21 


She’ll not believe that my doll does naughty 
things sometimes. Please, Mazie, tell her 
about it.” 

Aweel, lass, I’ll tell ye. When the bairn 
goes to bed, that same Arabella doll, wa 
came fra the fairies, gets alive — I’ve seen 
wi’ my own two eyes that same saucy doll 
go hibbledy-hobbledy ’round and ’round the 
room as if she was a-dancin’; but, let me 
open the door an’ peek in an’ she just drops 
on the floor an’ lies as still — as still. Oh! 
but she’s a wild doll sometimes. Why, one 
nicht — ’twas bright moonlight, an’ I see 
that Arabella doll open Jane’s door, walk 
on tiptoe down-stairs, open the front door, 
an’ rin — actually rin, as if for dear life, off 
to the woods — ’twas the fairies a-callin’ 
her — I could na hear them; but that doll 
heard them — ” 

Oh-h,” breathed Alys, her eyes as 
round and staring as an owl’s, ‘‘Oh! 
wouldn’t I like to follow her, and see what 
she does! ” 

“ Then ye’d love to see what I see wi’ 
my own eyes,” said Mazie; “ that ye would, 
an’ ’twas a wonderful sight! ” 


22 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

What did you see, Mazie; won’t you 
please tell us*? ” pleaded Alys. 

Aweel, lass, one night, first of all comes 
a big black cat right up here on the porch — 

* Me-ow, me-ow, me-oo, 

Are you in, Aroo? 

Arabella me-ine, me-ine, me-oo/ 

I just waited an’ I watched — I was 
peeking behind the curtain — an’ pretty 
soon Arabella opens the front door, jumps 
on the back of the black cat an’ away they 
fiew, down the steps an’ off to the woods.” 

Did you follow them, Mazie? Oh! 
Mazie, did you see where they went? ” 

Aye, Alys, that I did, lass, an’ sich 
sights I’ll niver forgit! ” 

‘‘ Tell us all about it, please,” cried Alys. 

Aweel, Alys, I’m af eared ’twould take 
too long; but ’twas a grand party, if you 
please, right in the green woods. There 
were bonny dames — fairies, I suppose — 
an’ gallant gentlemen, an’ nane o’ them 
would reach to your knee cap, child. Little 
folk, pretty folk, all of them, a-bowing an’ 
courtesying to each other under a great oak 


ALYS AT BRIGHTWOOD 23 

tree; but, when Arabella rides into the 
midst o’ them on the back o’ the black cat, 
sech a shout as went up — sech callin’ an’ 
sech laughin’, and off jumps Arabella! She 
was like a giantess beside them, she was 
that big, an’ the black cat stood up an’ 
stroked his whiskers an’ then began to 
dance wi’ Arabella. In an’ out an’ around 
they waltzed together, till all the fairies 
took hands an’ played ring-a-round-a-rosy, 
wi’ Arabella an’ the black cat in the middle. 
I watched them till my poor old eyes got 
weary an’, just as a clock began to strike 
twelve, I turned to go home; but, on the 
way, the black cat passed me like a streak 
of light, wi’ Arabella on his back an’, when 
I got to the house, she was there before me. 
Next morning I found her fast asleep beside 
Jane. You’d think she’d never stirred out 
of the house all night. Now rin away an’ 
play, for I’ve talked too much! ” 

‘‘ Jane,” whispered Alys, as they started 
to walk back through the woods, ‘‘I’m go- 
ing to ask you to do something for me. Oh! 
I hope you’ll do it, Jane.” 

“ What is it, Alys? ” 


24 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

I want you to let me take Lady Ara- 
bella for one night, and see if she gets alive 
in my house.’’ 

Oh! but she’s so cimning, Alys. She’s 
like a fox, auld Mazie says, for she’ll not 
do one thing when you’re looking.” 

But she mighty dear Jane — do let me, 
please, take her for just one night! ” 

I will, Alys; you may take dear Ara- 
bella to-night and to-morrow night and the 
night after. That will be three nights; she 
might do something in that time.” 

Oh! Thank you, Jane. I’ll be good to 
Arabella, and I’ll be just as careful as if she 
were my own best doll.” 

Then the two little girls played with their 
dolls until it was time for Jane to go home. 
But she left the wonderful Lady Arabella 
behind her, and that night, just before Alys 
got into bed, she put the great rag doll sit- 
ting on the floor with her back against the 
wall. 

‘‘Are you alive, Arabella — are you? 
Answer me, you dear, queer funny doll,” 
said Alys over and over. 

But the Lady Arabella looked straight 


ALYS AT BRIGHTWOOD 25 

ahead and maintained a discreet silence, 
dumb to all the little girl’s entreaties to 
get alive.” 

Good night, dear Arabella,” called Alys 
from her pillow, I must tell Do-re all 
about you the very next time he comes out, 
for he might know what to do to make you 
get alive in the daytime.” 


CHAPTER m 

A SURPRISE FOR ALYS 

W HEN Alys opened her eyes the next 
morning she looked on the floor 
to see if the Lady Arabella was 
safe. Needless to say, the great rag doll 
was resting in the very spot where Alys 
had placed her the night before. 

Were yon alive last night, Arabella? ’’ 
asked Alys. Lady Arabella,” she went 
on, sitting up in bed and pointing a warning 
Anger at the rag doll, ‘‘ last night, when I 
was in bed, and all the house was dark, and 
everybody was asleep, did you get alive? 
Did you, I say? Did a black, gentleman cat 
come to give you a ride on his back? Did 
he, I say? Answer me at once, you naughty 
Arabella.” 

But the Lady Arabella did not answer, 
and dear little Alys jumped out of bed with 
a question on her lips and a smile in her 
blue eyes. 


26 


A SURPRISE FOR ALYS 27 

I’ll tell Do-re all about you, Arabella, 
for I’m sure that he never saw such a queer 
doll in all his life.” 

After breakfast Alys went with her 
mother for a stroll through the pretty 
streets of Brightwood. They saw its sunny 
houses and sunny children at play; they 
passed stretches of green country and 
wooded hills that brought them at last to 
the bit of woods back of their own house. 
When they neared Jane Lawrie’s cottage 
they beheld auld Mazie sitting on the porch, 
sewing as usual; but Jane was nowhere to 
be seen. Alys and her mother stopped a 
moment to speak to the old woman — and 
a very old woman she was, though her eyes 
were bright and her face glowed with a fine 
color, like a russet apple in the late autumn. 
Auld Mazie told her visitors that Jane had 
gone with her father to the city to buy a 
pair of shoes. 

Mazie,” whispered Alys, will you tell 
my mother about the Lady Arabella, 
please.” 

Aweel, lass. I’ll tell yer mither some 
day, but not the day ” — and auld Mazie 


28 ALYS IN HAPPYLANl^ 

whispered a word or two in Mrs. Von 
Mayer ^s ear that caused that lady to laugh 
softly as she took Alys’s hand in her own 
and continued on her way. 

That afternoon, while Alys was playing 
on the front piazza, she happened to look 
up, and there was Do-re coming down 
the street with a great basket on his 
arm. 

“ Oh, goody! ’’ cried Alys, dropping 
everything and running to meet him. 

‘‘Oh! Do-re, I’m so glad to see you — I 
want to tell you about Lady Arabella — 
she’s — she’s wonderful, but naughty — 
she gets alive at night — she runs away 
with a black cat — But, what ! what have 
you in that basket? ” 

“ A surprise for you, Alys.” 

“ For me. Do-re? ” 

“ For you — your very own, Alys.” 

“Oh! Do-re, you’re just too good! ” 

“ No, Alys, there never was a man in this 
old world that was too good.” 

“ But, Do-re, tell me, please. Oh, goody! 
Tell me what it is — Oh! ” 

“ Now, Alys, ‘ don’t run away wid yersel 


A SURPRISE FOR ALYS 29 

entoirely,’ as Nora would say — hold in a 
little till I get on the piazza — it might run 
away.” 

Run away! then it’s alive — Oh! 
Do-re, is it really alive? ” 

It is really alive, Alys, — guess what it 

is.” 

It’s a baby — a dear little baby brother, 
and I wanted one. Oh! is it. Do-re? ” 

No, Alys, it’s not a baby; that is to say, 
it’s not a two-legged baby.” 

But are there any three-legged babies. 
Do-re? ” 

Not that I know of, Alys; but there are 
lots of four-legged babies in the world, and 
one of them is inside this basket.” 

Oh! Let me see it! ” 

Perhaps I ought not to call them 
babies,” Do-re went on, dropping the basket 
on the piazza, and, yet, that is just what 
they are — baby kittens, baby bow-wows, 
baby bunnies and all the rest.” 

Oh! I know what you mean. Do-re F 
You’ve brought me a kitten! ” 

Not a kitten, Alys — don’t you remem- 
ber that I told you how partial I am to dogs 


30 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


— have you forgotten what Boy Blue 
said? ’’ 

I^m afraid I have forgotten,’’ admitted 
Alys. 

Then I’ll refresh your memory, Alys; — 

^ Little Boy Blue, now tell me true, 

Which do you love the best? 

Your pussy fair with her wise, proud air, 

Or the bow-wow, never at rest. 

Never at rest, if you want his best; 

Never too tired to roam; 

Never too old to mind the cold; 

Very best guide to home.’ 

‘ I like my pussy,’ Boy Blue said, 

^ For all her claws and spats. 

And yet one little shaggy dog 
Is worth ten thousand cats! ’ ” 

Oh, now I remember. Do-re! You made 
that jingle when we had Waggles. Now I 
know you have brought me a dog — Oh! 
goody.” 

Yes, Alys, here’s another Waggles.” 

Then Do-re raised the cover of the basket, 
and out jumped the dearest little, brown, 
curly dog, that just wagged its tail, and 
wiggled its way into Alys’s heart. 


A SURPRISE FOR ALYS 31 

He knew his name from the beginning, 
and seemed to be thoroughly pleased with 
it. 

First of all, Waggles had to be carried 
into the house to see his new home 
and be introduced to Alys’s mother and 
Nora. 

Mrs. Von Mayer was delighted with the 
pretty little creature, and patted his curly 
brown head; but Nora made a wry face and 
said another spicimin.’’ 

Then Alys invited Waggles and Do-re to 
follow her into the woods behind the house. 
She wanted to show them where Jane Law- 
rie lived, and she wanted Do-re to see, with 
his own eyes, the red cottage where Ara- 
bella spent her precious time. But, when 
Alys related some of the wild doings of this 
same Arabella, and the strange sights that 
auld Mazie had seen. Do-re opened his 
gray eyes very wide. You say that 
auld Mazie saw these wonderful doings, 
Alys? ’’ 

Yes, Do-re, auld Mazie saw it all, for 
she told me about it.’’ 

Marvellous! ” cried Do-re. 


32 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

Marvellous,’’ echoed Alys. You 
never saw anything like that, now did you, 
Do-re? ” 

“ Not yet, Alys — I’m sorry to say; but 
I might — who knows? Auld Mazie has 
looked through Scotch mist with a dear old 
lady’s eyes — I would that I might see it 
some time, for the mist is very beautiful 
and wonderful. She must be a fine old 
woman, and I’d like to meet her.” 

You shall meet her some time, Do-re. 
I’ll take you there myself, because you tell 
good stories, too; but yours are only stories, 
you know auld Mazie sees things — they’re 
alive, you know! ” 

That’s the best of it,” exclaimed Do-re 
with enthusiasm. A fine old woman like 
Mazie would not waste her breath with 
mere stories — bless that dear Scotch mist! 
By the way, where is Arabella? ” 

She’s in the house. Let’s go back, be- 
cause I want you to see her.” 

They retraced their steps and reached the 
house, followed by Waggles, where Do-re 
not only saw the wonderful rag doll but 
even held it in his arms. 


A SURPRlSli toll ALYS 33 

Would you ever think, to look at that 
doll, that she could get alive. Do-re? 

I could believe almost anything of her,’’ 
declared Do-re, with a queer smile in his 
eyes, for I’ve seen many dolls in my 
time; — 


Dolls, dolls, dolls, dolls, 

Sallys, Dinahs, Pets, Molls, 

Beauty dolls and Duty dolls, 

And airy, fairy, hairy dolls. 

Dolls with noses, dolls without; 

Dolls with posies round about; 

Dolls that chuckle when you punch; 

Dolls with teeth that never munch; 

But, of all the dolls IVe seen. 

This Arabella dolFs the Queen.’^ 

Then Do-re looked at his watch. I must 
go now, Alys, I must catch the next train.” 

Going so soon? ” said Alys’s mother, 
appearing on the scene. 

I’m afraid I’ll have to go now; but I’m 
coming out to Brightwood again very soon,” 
said Do-re. 

Wasn’t it a happy thought,” observed 
Mrs. Von Mayer, letting her eyes rest on 
the scene behind the russet apple tree, ‘‘ to 
keep that bit of woods? ” 


34 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

‘‘ It was, indeed,” said Do-re. 

I^m going to call it Happyland,” de- 
clared Alys, because IVe been so happy 
ever since we came to live out here.” 

That’s a good name and a good reason,” 
laughed Mrs. Von Mayer. 

Between you and me, Alys,” said Do-re, 

we’ll plan some good times for this same 
Happyland.” Then Do-re took leave of his 
friends, looking back frequently to wave his 
hand to Alys. 

She stood and watched him until a grove 
of trees shut him from her sight. 

Just before Alys went to bed that night 
she sat Lady Arabella on the floor of her 
play-room. 

This is the second night of your visit,” 
said Alys. ‘‘ Be careful, Arabella; be a 
good doll and don’t go off riding in the dark 
— do you hear? Good night, Arabella.” 


CHAPTER IV 

A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE 

T he next morning Alys was awa- 
kened by a series of bob-o-link calls 
outside her window. 

It must be Jane,” cried Alys, and, 
jumping out of bed, she ran to the window 
to see Jane Lawrie in her old plaid dress 
and a big bundle of dry sticks under her 
arm. 

Good morning, Jane,” called Alys from 
the window. 

Good morning, Alys,” returned Jane, 
I’m just going home with my sticks.” 

Can you come over and play with me 
this morning, Jane? ” 

Yes, I think I can, Alys, when all my 
work is done,” answered Jane, as she 
tripped along, warbling and trilling like a 
happy little bird. 

Indeed, some time later, when a little 
song sparrow hopped on the window-sill to 

35 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


take a peep at Alys eating breakfast, her 
mother said, ‘‘ Why, that sounds just like 
Jane.’^ 

I wonder what that little bird is say- 
ing, mother,” said Alys. 

It might be a little story like this,” said 
mother. 

“ Said a sweet little girl to a sweet little bird, 

* You’ve the prettiest song that ever I heard. 

Oh! I wish, how I wish that I, too, might sing 
Your chirp-a-whit, cheer-a-bit trill-a-lay ring.’ 

“ The sweet little bird made answer and said, 

‘ There’s lots of good tunes in a little girl’s head. 

Oh! I wish, how I wish, that I too might sing. 

Come, nursie, my nice bowl of porridge please bring.’ ” 

When breakfast was over Alys decided 
to go up-stairs and get Arabella. But what 
was her surprise when, on looking into the 
room, expecting to see the great rag doll 
on the floor, there was not a sight of her. 
Waggles was there, curled up asleep in a 
little patch of sunshine, and all the dolls 
were there, safe and sound, except Jane 
Lawrie’s doll. 

Alys looked everywhere, under the bed. 


A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE 37 

under the toys, behind the door, and in 
every nook and corner; but not a trace of 
Arabella could be found. 

At this point Mrs. Von Mayer opened the 
door, and looked into the room. Waggles 
wagged his tail furiously, and rolled on his 
back from sheer joy; but Alys looked very 
sad as she told her mother about the 
strange disappearance of Lady Arabella. 

Jane’s doll is gone, mother. I’m afraid 
she got alive last night and ran away.” 

Are you quite sure, Alys, that you put 
the doll in your play-room last night? ” 

‘‘Yes, mother, I’m sure I did; I put her 
there just before I went to bed.” 

“It’s very strange,” said Mrs. Von 
Mayer; “ but I think you’ll find the doll 
again.” 

Then she helped Alys look all over the 
house; but the doll was nowhere to be 
seen, and, at last, Alys’s mother gave up 
the search and said that “ Lady Arabella 
was certainly a most remarkable doll.” 

“ I wonder what Jane will say,” cried 
Alys. 

“ Well, here’s Jane now,” exclaimed Mrs. 


38 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

Von Mayer, as she caught a glimpse of 
Janets plaid dress behind the hedge. 

Come up, Jane! Come right up to my 
play-room,’’ called Alys, running to the 
window. 

When Jane Lawrie entered the play- 
room Mrs. Von Mayer slipped away, leav- 
ing the two little girls together. 

“ Jane Lawrie,” began Alys, earnestly, 

is your child at home this morning with 
old Mazie? ” 

Do you mean my Arabella? ” 

Yes, I mean Arabella.” 

Of course she’s not at home, Alys; you 
know I let Arabella visit you, and she’s 
here.” 

“ She is not here, Jane. She’s gone! ” 

What! ” 

It’s true, Jane, and I’m very sorry. I 
left your doll safe and sound in this room 
last night; but, when I came in here this 
morning, she was gone. I’ve looked all over 
the house; but I cannot find a trace of 
her.” 

Oh! my poor doll, my dear Arabella,” 
cried Jane. 


A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE 39 

She must have got alive last night,’’ 
whispered Alys, and run away.” 

Oh! I can’t believe it,” moaned Jane, 
tears starting in her dark eyes. ‘‘Oh! 
Where’s my doll! ” 

“ Don’t cry, Jane dear; I’m turribul 
sorry.” 

“Oh! Why did I let my own dear doll 
go visiting! ” whimpered Jane. “It’s so 
safe and warm at home.” 

“ But, Jane, you know it’s safe and warm 
here in my own play-room, now isn’t it? ” 

“ I want my doll,” moaned Jane, re- 
fusing to be comforted. “ I want my Ara- 
bella.” 

“ Oh! Please don’t cry, Jane dear. I 
can’t give you your Arabella, when I don’t 
even know where she is; but I hope to find 
her.” 

“ I want my Arabella,^ ^ roared Jane, in 
such lusty tones that Nora, busy in the next 
room, made a dive for the play-room. 

“ For the love o’ hivens, what’s the mat- 
ter? ” cried Nora, looking on the scene with 
wondering eyes. “What ails the child, 
Alys? ” 


40 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

She’s crying for Arabella,” sobbed 
Alys. She thinks her Arabella’s lost and 

— and — she’ll never see her again! ” 

The poor little thing,” exclaimed Nora, 
placing a loving hand on Jane’s head. 
‘‘ Don’t cry, she’s not lost at all, child — 
she couldn’t be lost — she’s just missed the 
road, that’s all — come out an’ I’ll see if I 
can find her; come on.” 

The faithful maid, followed by the two 
children, made a hasty exit from the room 
and hurried into the woods at the rear of 
the house and looked everywhere. 

Hivens,” cried Nora at last, where is 
the child? I can’t see a sight of yer sisther 

— what’s become of her anny way? ” 

But Arabella’s not Jane’s sister, Nora. 
Arabella’s her child. Don’t you under- 
stand? ” 

“ Alys! ” cried Nora, standing perfectly 
still in the path, her gray eyes flashing, 
tell me this minute what you mane? 
What is that little girl crying the eyes outer 
her head for? — tell me that.” 

She’s crying ’cause she lost Arabella, 
her great big rag doll.” 


A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE 41 

Hivins! Is Arabella a doll! Glory be! 
I thought it was a choild! ’’ 

Well, Arabella is her child. She gets 
alive and runs away. She went off on the 
back of a black cat once to dance with the 
fairies and — 

Not another word,’’ interrupted Nora. 
Glory be! Is this America, or is it dear 
ould Ireland with the fairies an’ the little 
folk? Don’t cry, Jane; that same doll will 
be found; but, if I had as much brains in me 
head as I have in me feet, I’d not be out 
here. Don’t cry, darlin’; Arabella ’d never 
stay away ’lest she be kept away be the 
fairies, as meself has been kept away be two 
o’ thim, thanks be! ” 

Nora ended her remarks with a peal of 
laughter, then gathered up her skirts and 
ran like an Indian to the back door, leaving 
two very sad little maids behind her. 

J ane continued to cry softly, even though 
Waggles jumped up and tried to lick her 
face. 

Let’s go to your home and tell old 
Mazie,” ventured Alys. Perhaps she 
might know where to find Arabella.” 


42 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


Jane agreed to this and, drying her tears, 
she took Alys’s hand as they started off for 
the red cottage. 

The door was open and old Mazie, within, 
was half-singing, half-crooning an old 
Scotch ballad. 

Mazie,’’ said Alys, after a gentle knock 
on the open door, please excuse us for in- 
terrupting you; but Jane is feeling very 
sorry. We’ve lost Arabella, and we don’t 
know where to find her.” 

‘‘ What! Has the jade gone again? ” 
cried the old woman, full of concern*. 
“ Now did ever ye hear the likes? ” 

She’s gone,” repeated Alys, and then, 
in a few words, she told old Mazie the whole 
story. 

‘‘ She’s not gone far, lass,” declared old 
Mazie; she’ll come back, the limmer! ” 

Oh! Mazie, do you really think so? ” 
said Alys. 

Aye, lass, I’m sure o’ that. Dinna cry, 
Jane; she’ll come back.” 

But she never was away from home be- 
fore,” moaned Jane. ‘‘ Perhaps she could 
not find her way back.” 


A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE 43 


Is it the Lady Arabella! Nay, nay, 
Jane, she’ll come back; why, lass, when you 
was only a wee bairn, she went off an’ lived 
wi’ the fairies for three whole days — she 
got homesick for fairyland — she wanted to 
go back an’ see her mither — d’ye mind.” 

You never told me that before,” said 
Jane. 

Aye! I never telt ye that before, lass 
— it’s mony a thing I never telt ye before. 
Did ye see anything of a black gentleman 
cat the nicht, tell me thot,” said Mazie in 
a solemn whisper — tell me thot, Alys, 
lass.” 

No, Mazie,” replied Alys, casting a 
half-frightened glance around the cottage. 

I left Waggles, and Arabella, and all my 
dolls in my play-room before I went to 
bed.” 

Ah! Alys, lass, that’s when she rin 
away,” said old Mazie, with a knowing 
smile, mark my words, the gentleman cat 
called when ye was sound asleep, lass — 

* Me-ow, me-ow, me-oo, 

Are you in, Aroo? 

Arabella me-ine, me-ine, me-oo. ^ 


4^ ALYS In happyland 

That’s what he said,” declared old 
Mazie, an’ Arabella jest could na resist — 
she rin off wi’ him, like she did when Jane 
was a wee bairn, an’ she stayed away 
days.” 

Oh! tell us about it, won’t you please, 
Mazie? ” 

There’s not much to tell, lass; ’twas 
home in the old country, an’ Jane was a wee 
bairn, an’ one nicht, when everybody was 
asleep an’ ’twas bright moonlight outside, 
all at once the gentleman cat walked up* to 
the door an’ sat on the doorstep — 

* Me-ow, me-ow, me-oo, 

Are you in, Aroo? 

Arabella me-ine, me-ine, me-oo/ 

Arabella was lying limp on the floor in 
her auld plaidie; but, at the flrst sound of 
the cat, she jumps up an’ smooths herself 
out, same as if she were going to a ball, an’ 
then she steps to the door. 

I was watchin’ behind the curtain, an’ 
I saw, wi’ my own two eyes, the black cat 
make a low bow an’ Arabella courtesied in 
the doorway, an’ the next minute she sat 


A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE 45 

herself, like a leddy, side-saddled on his 
back an’ away they flew! ” 

Did you follow them, Mazie? ” asked 
Alys, breathlessly. 

Aye, that I did, lass; an’ sech sights! ” 
‘‘ Oh! Tell us, Mazie; what did you 
see? ” 

I saw them ride like mad across the 
country to a great, wide moor, an’ then Ara- 
bella jmnps off. ‘ Thank you. Sir Thomas,’ 
says she, ^ I’ll stop here, for I think I’ll go 
home the nicht, an’ see me mither — 
mither’s lonesome,’ says Arabella, ^ an’ I 
want to see my sisters an’ cousins an’ 
aunties.’ With that the gentleman cat 
bowed low an’ disappeared an’ ALrabella 
looked up at the moon an’ began to 
sing: — 


“ ‘ Heigho, heigh hi, 
Right glad am I, 
The moon is out, 
And so am I. 

" ‘ Heigho, heigh hi, 
Right glad I met it. 
The moon is mine, 
If I can get it.’ ” 


d6 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

^^Oh! Mazie, what happened then?’’ 
cried both little girls in one breath. 

Then, right before my eyes,” old Mazie 
went on, a golden ladder was let down 
from the moon to the moor, an’ Arabella 
started to climb it at once.” 

Oh! Mazie, what did you do then? ” 
Then I says to myself, ‘ I’ll climb the 
ladder, too; ’ which I did right behind Ara- 
bella, an’ I was that still I never made a 
sound an’ that bold doll did na hear me. 
At last, near the top of the ladder, I stopped 
for breath an’ watched Arabella when she 
was steppin’ off, an’ sech a crowd of beau- 
tiful ladies in spangle an’ jewels, an’ Kings 
wi’ plumes in their hats, an’ boy fairies an’ 
girl fairies! They welcomed Arabella, an’ 
then they all went off to a party in a gold 
castle.” 

‘‘ What did you do, Mazie? ” 

I jest stood still an’ rested; but ’twas a 
long, long stretch from the moor to the 
moon, an’ my legs were stiff; but, at last, 
I climbed down. I left Arabella up there in 
the moon, an’ I came home an’ went to bed 
like any sensible auld body. But, for three 


A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE 47 

whole days, d’ye mind, not a sight of the 
Lady Arabella did we see. Then, one nicht, 
I was having a wee bit porridge at the win- 
dow, when I saw the black gentleman cat 
pass like a flash, an’ the next minute Ara- 
bella walks into the room on tiptoe. I made 
believe I was dozing; but I see her go right 
over to where Jane was asleep, jump into 
the cradle, an’ cuddle down at the foot of 
Jane’s bed. So, dinna forget that three 
days the jade was gone that time. Now rin 
away an’ play, I’ve talked too much. Ara- 
bella ’ll come back, never fear.” 

The two little girls walked out of the 
cottage and turned their footsteps toward 
Alys’s home, and, as they went along, Jane 
brushed away the last trace of her tears. 

I always feel better when auld Mazie 
tells me about Arabella, and I’m sure she’ll 
come back to me,” said Jane hopefully. 

I’m sure she will,” observed Alys; 
but, oh! Jane, wouldn’t you just love to 
see her when she goes cat-back riding? ” 
Cat-back riding! ” exclaimed Jane. 
Well, it’s not horse -back riding!” 
flashed Alys. 


48 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

That’s very true,” said Jane, soberly; 

I’m afraid the gentleman cat. Sir Thomas, 
called for her last night.” 

When they reached the house they talked 
about the strange disappearance of Ara- 
bella until the subject was well-nigh ex- 
hausted. Then they played store ” until 
it was time for Jane to go home. 


CHAPTER V 


A MYSTERY SOLVED 

H! mother, I feel so sorry about 



Jane. It’s three days since Ara- 
bella’s gone. Jane is turribul 


lonesome, and, every time she comes over 
here, she tries not to cry. It makes me 
sorry just to see her.” 

‘‘I’m sorry, too, Alys,” said her mother, 
looking up from a letter she was writing to 
study the troubled face raised to hers. 
“ Perhaps Do-re can help us,” she went on, 
“ you must tell him all about it when he 
comes out to-day.” 

“ Are you writing a letter, mother? ” 

“ Yes, dear, I’m writing a letter to father, 
who went to New York yesterday on a short 
business trip.” 

“Oh! mother, I wish that I could write 
a letter to father.” 

“ I wish you could, Alys. Next fall, you 


49 


50 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

are going to school, and then you’ll learn to 
read and write and do ever so many inter- 
esting things.” 

But, oh! wouldn’t it be nice, mother, 
if I could write a teeny, weeny letter now.” 

I’ll tell you what we’ll do, Alys. You 
tell me just what you want to say to father, 
and I’ll write the teeny, weeny letter for 
you.” 

Goody! ” cried Alys; will you do it 
now — right away — just this minute, 
mother^ ” 

Dear! Dear! What an impulsive little 
girl I have! But I shall do it at once. Now, 
I’m all ready — tell me what you want to 
say to father.” 

Dearest Daddy,” dictated Alys, I 
wish that I could see you. I would like to 
ask you about New York. Is it too far 
away for the Lady Arabella to hide herself? 
She ran away from us, and we cannot find 
her. WTien you are not too busy, please 
look around for a doll. You will know her 
by her size— Arabella is not beautiful, but 
Do-re says that she grows on one and, the 


A MYSTERY SOLVED 


51 


longer he looks at her, the more he sym- 
pathizes with the old woman who lived in a 
shoe, Queen Isabella, and other dear, inter- 
esting, fat ladies. Come home soon, but 
please look for Arabella first — I would 
rather talk to you than write to you because 
I can say so much. 

xxxxxxxxx these are hugs 
0000000000 these are kisses 

From your loving 

“ ALYS. 

P. S. If you should find Arabella you 
will have to carry her home, and don’t let 
her out of your sight, father, she is not to 
be trusted.” 

There! ” said her mother, that is a 
good letter, and I’ll enclose it with mine — 
and now, Alys, the train is due here in a 
few minutes, so you may go and meet 
Do-re.’ 

'‘Come, Waggles,” said Alys, and, fol- 
lowed by the happiest little dog in Bright- 
wood, she ran out into the warm sunshine 
to meet Do-re. 


62 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


It was spring in the land, and the country 
was beginning to look very lovely in the 
tender green of every growing thing. Cro- 
cuses peeped in sunny places, and tulips 
raised their pretty heads above well- 
trimmed lawns. Alys tripped along, her 
childish heart very full that warm spring 
day. She was so glad that Do-re was com- 
ing! In the first place. Do-re was the very 
best playmate in the world, because he 
thought of so many interesting things to do. 
Then, there was the wonderful reel inside 
his head with so many stories wound all 
around it — why! when Alys was tired and 
wanted a story, all she had to do was to tell 
Do-re, who turned the reel and off came a 
splendid story! Then he had Jingle Jack. 
Alys loved jingles and there seemed to be 
no end to Do-re’s fund. But, best of all. 
Do-re had a faculty for planning pleasant 
surprises, in fact, he could do almost any- 
thing in the way of a happy surprise. The 
last time he came out to Brightwood he had 
brought Waggles; Alys wondered what he 
would bring to-day. Her thoughts were in- 
terrupted by the train, that was in sight at 



(I 


)) 


ALYS TRIPPED ALONG 





A MYSTERY SOLVED 53 

last, and even now was puffing away at the 
station. She quickened her steps and, in 
another moment, saw Do-re stepping off 
the car. Alys ran to meet him, but Wag- 
gles was there before her, and almost stood 
on his head to show his delight at seeing 
Do-re. 

Oh! I’m so glad you came. Do-re,” 
cried Alys, quite breathlessly. Lady Ara- 
bella ran away! She’s gone, — and we 
can’t find her, — and Jane feels dreadfully 
about it, — and old Mazie thinks she went 
off cat-back riding and will come back, — 
and that is just what she did in Scotland 
once,— and— ” 

‘‘ Alys! Hold on! ” said Do-re, throwing 
back his head with a laugh, ‘‘ stand just 
where you are, and catch up with yourself.” 

<< Why — Do-re? ” 

You must catch up with your breath, 
little girl, because it’s running away from 
you.” 

You funny Do-re! ” laughed Alys. A 
girl’s breath couldn’t run away! ” 

If she talks too fast she’ll lose it, Alys, 
I know. 


54 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


If a maid talks too fast, 

Her breath may not last, 

And what would the maiden do then — sweet thing? 

SheM have to look wise. 

And talk with her eyes. 

And catch a long breath in a ring — sweet thing/’ 

Do-re, I love your jingles.” 

Good! Love me, love my jingles; but 
now, Alys, tell me calmly just what hap- 
pened to Lady Arabella. Has she really 
disappeared, or has auld Mazie been look- 
ing through the dear Scotch mist again? ” 

She’s really gone. Do-re,” and there- 
upon Alys proceeded to tell Do-re just what 
had happened. 

This begins to look serious,” declared 
Do-re. I can readily understand the 
Lady Arabella running away from the red 
cottage in the woods, but if, as you say, she 
left the Castle of Sunshine, her case must 
be looked into at once. I, myself, shall be- 
gin a systematic search for that strange 
doll.” 

As Do-re and Alys approached the house 
they saw Jane Lawrie walking away from 
it. 


A MYSTERY SOLVED 55 

Jane, Jane,’’ called Alys, come 

here! ” 

Jane turned, and the next minute Alys 
had introduced the little girl to Do-re, and 
had at the same time mentioned Jane’s 
various accomplishments. 

‘‘ She can warble like a bird, and 
pick up sticks like a dog,” declared 
Alys. 

Do-re shook Jane’s hand, and assured 
these two little friends that he was very 
happy to be in their company. Then they 
talked again about Arabella’s strange dis- 
appearance, and they told Do-re every word 
that old Mazie had said. 

‘‘ If you’ll excuse me for a few minutes,” 
said Do-re, I’ll go into the house to look 
through the Castle of Simshine before I 
begin my search elsewhere.” 

Do-re then went into the house, followed 
by Waggles — indeed. Waggles had never 
taken his eyes from Do-re since that young 
man had set foot in Brightwood. 

Alys and Jane seated themselves on the 
steps and waited patiently. 

Auld Mazie dreamt about dear Ara- 


56 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


bella all last night/’ said Jane, a suspicious 
quiver in her voice. 

What did she dream, Jane? ” 

She dreamt a mad bull shook Arabella 
all up.” 

‘‘ Oh-h, Jane, that was dreadful! ” 

Yes, it was! my poor, dear Arabella. 
Oh! — hoo-oo! ” roared Jane^ beginning to 
cry lustily. 

Don’t cry, Jane; it won’t do any good 
to worry and it’s not brave to cry.” 

I guess you’d cry, Alys, if your child 
was shooken by a mad bull! ” 

“ Why, what’s the matter, children? ” in- 
quired Do-re, reappearing on the piazza. 

Why do you cry, Jane? ” 

She’s crying because old Mazie dreamt 
a mad bull shook Arabella.” 

Don’t cry, Jane,” said Do-re. It’s 
very puzzling, indeed,” he went on; I’ve 
looked all over the castle, yet I fail to find 
Arabella. However, I think I have a clue.” 

‘‘ A clue? ” echoed Alys. 

‘‘Yes, here it is,” said Do-re, holding 
forth a green tam-o’-shanter. “ Doesn’t 
that belong to Arabella? ” 


A MYSTERY SOLVED 57 

Of course it does,” cried the children in 
the same breath, Arabella wore it on her 
head all the time. Where did you find it? ” 

I didn’t find it at all,” answered Do-re. 

While I was searching for the doll. Wag- 
gles came and dropped this cap at my feet.” 

Oh! I know,” cried Alys, perhaps 
Arabella dropped her tam-o’-shanter when 
she went off with the cat.” 

‘‘ Perhaps she did,” said Do-re, or per- 
haps some one else dropped it.” 

Whom do you mean. Do-re? ” 

‘‘ I mean Waggles — look at him — isn’t 
there a guilty look about him? Here, Wag- 
gles! Come here. See this cap? Go find 
the doll that wore it — show us where Ara- 
bella is — come! ” 

Waggles gave a little bark of joy at 
Do-re’s words, then turned and ran around 
to the back of the house and over the hedge 
and into the woods. Do-re and the two 
eager little girls followed every step of the 
way. Straight into the woods ran Waggles, 
stopping every now and then to look back 
and bark joyously. Do-re was close at his 
heels as the little dog scurried behind a 


58 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


clump of bushes and then darted ahead with 
a veritable bark of triumph. 

Suddenly Waggles stood perfectly still, 
looked back at his followers, then made a 
dive into the very midst of some thick 
bushes. 

Ah! Now the secret’s out,” cried Do-re. 

It was true. A moment later Waggles 
emerged from the heart of the bushes, drag- 
ging the doll by one leg. Arabella was so 
large that Waggles could not carry her, 
but he succeeded in pulling her along until 
he reached Do-re. After dropping the 
great doll at Do-re’s feet. Waggles stood 
off and tried to tell just how pleased he felt. 

Do-re took Arabella in his arms and, save 
for a daub or two of fresh earth on her great 
flat face, the doll was none the worse for 
the experience. 

Jane and Alys gave a shout when they 
saw Arabella. Indeed, Jane hugged the 
doll, and kissed it, and told it just how glad 
a little mother is to And a lost doll child. 
Alys clapped her hands, and Waggles rolled 
over and over. 

This spirit of rejoicing is very con- 


A MYSTERY SOLVED 59 

tagious,” said Do-re. I’m all excited! 
Hooray! Hooray! ” he shouted, and threw 
up his hat. Hooray for Happyland! ” 
Now, of course, nothing could make Jane 
Lawrie believe that Lady Arabella had not 
gone off with a black cat, by name Sir 
Thomas, to a frolic in the woods with the 
fairies; but Alys had a thought in her wise 
little head that a certain playful little dog 
had run away with the doll, and had left it 
in the bushes. Perhaps the little dog 
thought that Arabella was nice to play 
with, and, when Do-re, that prince of good 
playfellows, came to Brightwood, Waggles 
needs must go and find what he had hidden 
away that he thought was nice to play with, 
and give it to Do-re. That is, if little dogs 
think — What do you think about it? 


CHAPTER VI 

ALYS FINDS A BUNCH 

HE next morning Alys was playing 



in Happyland when she thought 


she heard a child crying. She 
stopped a moment to listen and, after 
awhile, became convinced that some little 
girl or boy was weeping bitterly. 

I wonder who it can be. Waggles?’^ 
said Alys. Waggles answered with a bark, 
just to assure his little mistress that he 
could find out all about it, then he made a 
dive into the woods. Alys hurried along the 
path after him. She ran in and out among 
the green bushes until, all at once. Waggles 
stopped and wagged his tail furiously, and 
there, on the stump of an old tree, Alys saw 
a very ragged little boy sobbing as if his 
heart would break. He was a chubby little 
fellow, with a rosy, freckled face and a pair 
of big blue eyes. At sight of the dog he 


60 


ALYS FINDS A BUNCH 61 

stopped crying long enongli to draw a tat- 
tered coat sleeve in lieu of handkerchief, 
across his face. 

What’s the matter? ” asked Alys. 

Are you hurt? ” 

I am l-lost, that’s what I am,” replied 
the little stranger. 

What’s your name, little boy? ” 

Name’s Tommy — Tommy Bunch.” 

Where do you live? ” 

Over there,” replied Tommy, pointing 
to an indefinite place beyond. 

Well, if it’s only, over there,” cried 
Alys, hopefully, it’s easy — I’ll take care 
of you. Tommy. Me and Waggles will take 
you home — come.” 

Tommy’s tears disappeared like April 
clouds before the sun. He arose all smiles, 
and placed a fat little fist in Alys’s prof- 
fered hand. 

Gruess you know my Mamie.” 

Mamie? Is Mamie your little sister? ” 
asked Alys. 

No, she’s my big sister — she minds 
me.” 

Oh, wouldn’t I just love to have a big 


62 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


sister! ’’ cried Alys. I haven’t any sister 
or brother at all.” 

I have lots of brothers and sisters,” 
cried Tommy, proudly. I have Mamie 
and Maggie and Lizzie and Nellie and Katie 
and Bernie and Johnny and — and — lots 
more.” 

‘^Now, Tommy, you mustn’t say that. 
You mustn’t make up sisters and brothers, 
you know, unless you’re playing at make- 
believe. This isn’t make-believe. Tommy; 
so you mustn’t say you have all those 
brothers and sisters when you haven’t 
truly.” 

But I have truly,” persisted Tommy. 

I have a whole lots of childrens.” 

Where did you get them? ” flashed 
Alys. 

I don’t know. We always had them. 
They found Birdie — she’s the baby, you 
know — in a sugar barrel; and mother, she 
says I came in a snow-storm.” 

‘‘ Where ’bouts. Tommy? ” 

Don’t know. ’Twas somewhere near 
the house.” 

Where is your house. Tommy? We’ve 


ALYS FINDS A BUNCH 63 

walked a long way. Don’t you see it 
yet? ” 

‘‘ No,” said Tommy. My house is a far, 
far way.” 

Well, what street is it on? ” 

’Tisn’t on a street.” 

Now, Tommy Bunch, that’s a story! 
Every house is on a street.” 

Well, our house isn’t on the street at 
all; it’s on the marsh.” 

‘‘ Gracious! I wonder where it can be! 
What is your house near. Tommy? ” 

It’s near the wagons and the shed and 
the wheelbarrow and all the things.” 

Alys walked on and on with Tommy, 
Waggles wiggling dutifully in the rear. At 
last they left the pretty streets far behind 
and gained a dusty, country road, when all 
at once Tommy gave a cry of joy. 

a There’s Lane’s farm, where Johnny 
got the apples that made him] ^ck,” he 
shouted. 

Green apples? ” cried Alys. ‘‘You 
must never eat green apples; mother told 
me so.” 

“ And Mr. Lane chased us,” Tommy 


64 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

went on. He was going to arrest Johnny; 
for stealing his apples.’’ 

My, what a naughty boy your Johnny 
is! You wouldn’t do that, would you, 
Tonuny? ” 

Yes, I would.” 

Why, Tommy Bunch! ” 

Guess you’d take a big apple if you was 
hungry,” pouted Tommy. 

No, you must never, never steal! ” de- 
clared Alys — But, look. Tommy; see all 
the children over there, — it must be a 
school.” 

’Tain’t a school,” flashed Tommy; it’s 

us.” 

They were now in sight of an old, 
weather-beaten shed of a house, that stood 
on a narrow strip of marsh land. Old 
wagons, broken lumber and all sorts of rub- 
bish were strewn about, while in and out, 
and over all, romped a crowd of noisy chil- 
dren of all ages and sizes, from a toddling, 
ragged baby to a great husky lad of flfteen. 

All at once a barefooted girl caught sight 
of Alys and Tommy and, with a call to the 
other children, she started toward them. 


ALYS FINDS A BUNCH 65 

Waggles barked so furiously for a mo- 
ment that all the Bunches jumped for joy 
and begged Alys to make him bark again. 
But our little girl did not think it polite for 
Waggles to bark when she wanted to talk, 
so she urged him to be quiet while she told 
all Tommy’s brothers and sisters where she 
had foimd the lost boy. 

Tommy’s always getting lost,” said 
Maggie Bunch. Last time he was gone 
all day and they found him asleep in an old 
lady’s feather bed about a mile from the 
town.” 

‘‘Don’t some of you children go to 
school? ” asked Alys. 

“ Sure we do,” said Johnny; “ but this is 
vacation — v-a- va, c-a- ca, shunny, shunny, 
shun shun — va-ca-sM^.” 

Johnny rattled this off with a grin, and 
then made “ cart-wheels ” to a near by tree. 

“You must have lovely times,” said 
Alys; “ there’s so many of you, and, do you 
know, I thought at first Tommy was just 
making believe, I didn’t think he could have 
so many brothers and sisters.” 

All the Bunches unconsciously ex- 


66 ALYS in HAPPYLAND 

changed glances. Brothers and sisters 
were so plentiful in that old house on the 
marsh that they could not understand why 
Alys should be surprised. 

I wish I had lots of brothers and sis- 
ters/^ said Alys. ‘‘Oh! What a darling 
baby! ” 

“ That’s Birdie,” said Maggie, hurrying 
to the side of the house where, in an old 
carriage, a few months’ old baby had just 
awakened. 

“ Oh! ” said Alys, running to the car- 
riage, “ isn’t she a dear? ” 

“ Have you a big doll? ” ventured 
Maggie. 

“Yes, I have lots of dolls,” returned 
Alys. “ Eosamond is my very best; she is 
a big wax doll, dressed in blue silk.” 

“Oh! My! But wouldn’t I love to have a 
doll like that,” said Maggie. “I’d give 
anything for one.” 

“ I can give you a doll,” said Alys. “ If 
I had known your address when I had the 
biggest doll party in the world. Do-re would 
have sent each of you a doll.” 

“ Who is Do-re? ” asked Maggie. 


ALYS FINDS A BUNCH 67 

<< Why he’s just the nicest big boy in the 
world. He has lots of hair on his head, and 
a reel inside, full of fairy stories and lovely 
jingles and, whenever I want a fairy story 
or a jingle, he just unwinds the reel. Oh! 
You’d love Do-re.” 

At this point, all the Bunches, who had 
been listening to Alys in a charmed circle, 
let out such a war-whoop that Alys uncon- 
sciously started back a little. 

Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! for Do-re! ” 
shouted Johnny Bunch. 

You run away and play, all you kids,” 
said Maggie. You’ll scare the little 
girl.” 

Oh! no, I’m not afraid,” laughed Alys; 

but I think I had better go home now.” 

‘‘I’ll walk a little way with you,” said 
Maggie, as she waved off the group of boys 
and girls and started away with Alys. 

“ You’re not going to leave that baby all 
alone in that carriage? ” asked Alys. 

“ No,” said Maggie, “ I guess I’ll take 
her with me.” 

“ Does your mother know, Maggie? ” 

“ Mother isn’t at home; she’s out work- 


68 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


ing to-day. Father’s out, too. I have to 
mind Birdie every day.” 

Suddenly Maggie Bunch turned and 
looked back quickly at the children playing 
on the lumber, then she lowered her voice 
to a mysterious whisper. 

You said you had lots of dolls in your 
house, didn’t you? ” 

Yes.” 

Have you any babies in your house? ” 
Not one.” 

Would you like one? ” 

Oh! Maggie, we’d love one. Do you 
know where we could get one? ” 

Yes, I do,” said Maggie, quickly. 
‘‘You can get a baby right now if you’ll 
never tell — are you sure you can keep a 
secret? ” 

“ Yes, I’m sure I can,” declared Alys. 

“ Well, then. I’ll give you Birdie! She’s 
awful cunning and good — if you let her 
keep her fist in her mouth, when you take 
out the bottle— see? ” 

“ N-no — I’m afraid I don’t quite under- 
stand,” said Alys. “ You see, I never had 
any babies, only dolls.” 


ALYS FINDS A BUNCH 69 

‘‘ And I never had any dolls, only 
babies,” sighed Maggie. ‘‘Well, Alys, 
when Birdie gets hungry you must fill her 
bottle with warm milk and let her take it 
all. There’s two clean bottles in her car- 
riage now.” 

“Oh! I could do that easy enough,” cried 
Alys. 

“ Yes, of course you could; and then 
Birdie’ll stuff her fist right in her mouth 
and eat that.” 

“Oh! Eat her own fist! That’s dread- 
ful,” cried Alys, in horror. 

“ She doesn’t eat it truly,” flashed 
Maggie. “ She has no teeth, but she makes 
believe, don’t you see? ” 

“And doesn’t it hurt her fist?” ques- 
tioned Alys. 

“ Not a bit; why babies put everything in 
their mouths — she’d chew a horseshoe if 
we’d let her, ’cause one day Tommy gave 
her one to play with and I found her eating 
it.” 

“ Oh! ” exclaimed Alys, too surprised for 
words; but she looked at Maggie with re- 
newed interest. 


70 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

Now,” said Maggie, with a practical 
nod toward the carriage, I’ll give you 
Birdie for a big wax doll; but you mustn’t 
tell anybody — don’t breathe it to a soul! ” 
But, are you quite sure that your 
mother would be willing? ” 

Sure! ” said Maggie. ‘‘ Mother has so 
many she won’t miss Birdie at all; besides, 
my mother doesn’t get home until night, 
when I have Birdie in bed.” 

‘‘ Oh, if I only could! ” sighed Alys; ‘‘I’d 
just love to have her.” 

“ Well, you can; but don’t tell anybody 
at first. That’s the way they do with babies 
— people never tell till the baby is right 
there in the house with you, and then 
you’ve got to keep it whether you want it 
or not, and the longer you keep it the 
better you like it — now, can’t you do 
that? ” 

“ Ye-s — I guess so,” said Alys. “I 
could smuggle Birdie up to my room and 
keep her there.” 

“ And don’t tell a soul! ” said Maggie. 

“ Can’t I tell mother? ” asked Alys. 

“ If you do, that will spoil it all,” said 


ALYS FINDS A BUNCH 71 

Maggie. You mustn’t say a word to any- 

Well, I won’t, if you think so,” said 
Alys; but I’m sure that mother would 
just love Birdie.” 

The children had now reached the bit of 
woods back of the house. 

That’s Happyland,” said Alys. Come 
in and I’ll show you all my dolls.” 

We’ll hide Birdie and the carriage out- 
side, so that no one will see her.” 

“Oh! Can’t we have her with us? ” said 
Alys. 

“ Sh-h-hush! ” said Maggie. “ She’s 
sound asleep — now leave her where it’s 
quiet and show me the dolls.” 

“ Very well,” said Alys, looking reluc- 
tantly at the sleeping child. 

Then Alys and Maggie entered Happy- 
land, where the little girl from the marsh 
went into childish ecstasies over the 
dolls. 

“ Give me this one,” said Maggie, hold- 
ing Rosamond close in her arms. “ This is 
the one I like the best.” 

“It’s the one I like the best, too,” re- 


72 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

turned Alys. I got Rosamond at Dorothy 
Clover’s party.” 

I never went to a party in my life,” 
sighed Maggie. ‘‘ Was it nice? ” 

It was lovely, Maggie.” 

Do they always give away handsome 
dolls like that? ” 

I think they do, Maggie.” 

And will you give me Rosamond for 
Birdie? ” 

Ye-s — ” said Alys, if you’re sure 
that you don’t want your baby any more.” 

No, I don’t. I’m tired of babies! In 
my house they all stay babies too long. 
Still, I love Birdie, and I’m coming to see 
her some time— can’t I? ” 

Oh, yes, indeed — you can come every 
day.” 

Now I must go home,” said Maggie. 

I’ve got to mind the other children, so 
give me the doll and I’ll go.” 

Well, here’s Rosamond. I love her 
dearly and I hope you will be kind to her, 
Maggie.” 

Thanks, and you be careful of Birdie — 
won’t you? ” 





' 







'll"' 




1^ 




1 ■ ~n ' ■ ■ 





‘‘ ‘ she’s mine! ’ 




SAID ALYS 




ALYS FINDS A BUNCH 73 

Yes, indeed I will.’’ 

Don’t touch her until she wakes up; 
then sneak up-stairs with her and give her 
a bottle of warm milk. Good-by, Alys.” 

Good-by, Maggie.” 

Maggie was out of sight with the beauti- 
ful doll, Rosamond, in her arms, almost 
before Alys had realized that she was 
gone. 

For a moment our little girl was lost in 
thought. Suddenly she looked up and saw 
Jane Lawrie approaching. 

Oh! Jane, come here; I’ve a secret — 
a lovely secret; but I’m going to tell you, 
Jane, dear — hush — don’t say a word, but 
follow me! ” 

Jane walked behind Alys on tiptoe to the 
great bush, and her eyes opened very wide 
when she saw the sleeping baby. 

She’s mine! ” said Alys, and then pro- 
ceeded to tell Jane the whole story. 

I wonder if she would give me a 
baby? ” cried Jane. 

I think she would,” replied Alys, be- 
cause the Bunches have so many of them; 
but Birdie’s the littlest of them all. Billy’s 


74 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


the next; but he can’t walk very well, you 
see, and he falls a great deal.” 

See, she’s getting alive,” cried Jane. 

Oh, she’s just waking up,” said Alys, 
as Birdie opened a pair of blue eyes, looked 
at the two strange little girls bending over 
her and all at once began to cry lustily. 

Goodness! ” said Jane, what makes 
her cry so, — we didn’t do anything to 
her.” 

She’s hungry,” declared Alys; she 
wants a bottle of warm milk, and I must get 
it at once.” 

She took the empty bottle out of the car- 
riage and ran into the kitchen. Luckily for 
Alys, Nora was not there, and the child lost 
no time in filling the bottle and placing it 
in a pan of hot water. Birdie cried lustily, 
while Jane Lawrie tried in vain to quiet 
her. 

It was a very excited little girl who ap- 
peared at last with a bottle of milk in her 
hand. At sight of the bottle Birdie made a 
queer, gurgling sound and the crying 
ceased. 

My, but doesn’t she just love it,” cried 


ALYS FINDS A BUNCH 75 

Alys, “ and she seems to be real hungry, 
too.’’ 

‘‘ Auld Mazie says that babies are always 
hungry,” remarked Jane. 

The two little girls watched the baby un- 
til the last drop of milk was gone. Then, 
taking the bottle in her hand, Alys looked 
curiously at Jane. 

Guess what she likes after her milk, 
Jane? ” 

Scones an’ jam? ” 

No, just her fist — she loves it! Maggie 
told me so.” 

Yes, there she has it, now,” said Jane, 
with a merry laugh; “ she’s a queer baby.” 

She’s a darling,” cried Alys, and now 
I must smuggle her up to my room. I 
mustn’t tell a soul, not even mother, until 
they know it, because that’s what Maggie 
told me to do. She knows all about babies, 
they have so many. Now I hope Nora 
won’t see me.” 

Nora has just gone into the cellar,” said 
Jane. 

Then it’s a good time to take out Birdie 
— hush-h! be just as still.” 


76 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


Alys put both arms around Birdie and 
succeeded in lifting her out of the carriage; 
but Birdie was a very fat baby, and it was 
all little Alys could do to carry her to the 
hedge. 

I must rest a minute,’’ sighed Alys; 

she’s dreadful heavy.” 

Why don’t you let me help you? ” said 
Jane. You could take her head and I’ll 
take her feet.” 

That’s a good way to get her up-stairs,” 
Alys agreed. Do be careful, Jane; don’t 
let go of her legs.” 

With frequent rests on the way, Alys and 
Jane got Birdie safely up-stairs at last. 
They deposited her on the bed, and cov- 
ered her carefully, and Birdie had actually 
gone off to sleep again before their very 
eyes. 

^^My, what a sleepy little thing! She 
just sleeps and sleeps.” 

The children stood very still and watched 
the sleeping baby. After waiting in vain 
for some sign of her awakening, they played 
house until it was time for Jane to go 
home. 


ALYS FINDS A BUNCH 77 

Just think of having a real baby,’’ 
whispered Alys. Oh! I’m so happy! ” 
To-morrow,” whispered Jane, ‘‘ you 
show me where Maggie Bimch lives and I’ll 
go and get a baby, too.” 


CHAPTER VII 

AN INTERRUPTED DINNER PARTY 

W HEN Alys was alone she went back 
softly and gazed anew at her 
treasure. 

A real, truly baby, and all my own,” she 
said to herself. 

Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice 
from below. It was her mother calling. 

Alys, would you like to go to the depot 
with me, to meet papa? ” 

Oh, yes, mother; I’ll come down at 
once. Don’t wake up, dear, sleep on safe 
and sound till I come back,” whispered 
Alys, as she pressed her lips to the one 
chubby little fist that was visible. Then 
she hurried down-stairs. 

Mother, dear,” said Alys, with sup- 
pressed excitement, I have a lovely sur- 
prise for you and papa.” 

You have, dear? I’m so glad to hear 
it,” 


78 


AN INTERRUPTED DINNER PARTY 79 

You’ll be gladder to see it, mother.” 

Oh, it’s something good to see, is it? ” 

Yes, it’s the very best thing in the 
world to see, mother.” 

Amd it belongs to you, Alys? ” 

Yes, mother dear; it’s my very own, 
and I only got it to-day.” 

And where did you get it, Alys? ” 

Maggie Bunch gave it to me.” 

And who is Maggie Bunch, my dear? ” 

Why, she’s a big, little girl that minds 
lots of babies and children when her mother 
goes out to work.” 

What a good little helper she must be 
— but look, Alys, see who is coming.” 

Alys turned, and saw her papa and their 
old friend Herr Stein just stepping off the 
train. 

Oh! goody,” cried Alys, and, forgetting 
all about the Bunches in general, and one 
little sleeping Bunch in particular, Alys 
dropped her mother’s hand and bounded 
over the path to meet them. 

Ah! My leetle friendt,” said Herr 
Stein, by way of greeting. And, when papa 
had lifted his little girl high in his arms 


80 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

and kissed her, Herr Stein looked over his 
great gold-bowed glasses and repeated 
Ah! My leetle, leetle friendt/’ 

Alys smiled as she remembered that this 
was the way that Herr Stein had always ad- 
dressed her when she lived lin the great 
apartment house. 

Ah! Alys, you haf the leetle sisters of 
the poor come now, ya? ” 

Nein,’’ said the musician, with a merry 
laugh; Nora would take the broomstick to 
them.” 

Herr Stein shook all over at the recollec- 
tion of that exciting event in the old house, 
and said softly, Do-re — he iss shust one 
big boy! ” 

Do-re is good,” cried Alys; ‘‘he’s the 
best boy in all the world! ” 

At this point her father and Herr Stein 
fell into a very earnest conversation about 
Do-re; but, as they spoke in German, Alys 
did not understand what they were saying. 
She did, however, see Herr Stein point to 
the great hill where Do-re’s uncle lived and 
say, “Ah! That was too bad— he should be 
proud of the boy.” 


AN INTERRUPTED DINNER PARTY 81 

Mrs. Von Mayer now joined the group 
and, while she greeted her husband’s old 
friend, Alys whispered in her father’s ear: 

‘‘ I have a lovely, great big surprise for 
you, Daddy.” 

For me, Alys? ” 

For you, and mother, and Do-re, and 
Nora, and everybody! ” 

Good,” exclaimed the musician, when 
are you going to tell me? ” 

When we get home,” said Alys. At 
first I was going to tell you now, but I think 
it will be a bigger, beautifuller surprise to 
let you see it.” 

When they reached the house. Waggles 
sidled out of the backyard with a doll’s shoe 
in his mouth. He dropped it at Herr Stein’s 
feet, and then stood off to see if this new 
friend was a good playfellow and ready for 
sport. 

You naughty dog to take my dolly’s 
shoe,” cried Alys, and, forgetting about the 
surprise up-stairs, she picked up the tiny 
shoe and then, taking Herr Stein’s hand, 
she led him behind the house to see Happy- 
land. Now in Happyland there were so 


82 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

many subjects to talk about, and so many 
treasures to show, that Alys had not half 
finished when it was time to go in to dinner. 

“ It was pretty lonesome when my leetle 
friendt here left the big house/’ said Herr 
Stein, as he seated himself at the table. 

We all missed her very much.” 

Are you lonesome now*? ” asked Alys, 
quickly. 

Ya — sometimes it iss lonely, Alys.” 

Why don’t you get a little baby, Herr 
Stein? ” hashed Alys. 

The stout little German professor threw 
back his head and laughed. 

I am an old bachelor, Alys — besides — 
babies — they cost too much money.” 

‘‘ But I know where you can get one for 
nothing,” declared Alys. 

Herr Stein’s laughter increased, but he 
shook his head. 

I am afraid, Alys, I would not never 
know what with a baby to do.” 

Why, you have only to give her a bottle 
and then her little fist.” 

So-o? ” said Herr Stein. The laughter 
that followed was infectious; but all at 


AN INTERRUPTED DINNER PARTY 83 

once it died on his lips, for Nora had rushed 
into the room, a frightened look on her face. 

If you please, sor,’’ she said to the 
musician, I don’t know what’s the mat- 
ter, but there’s something up-stairs.” 

What do you mean, Nora? ” asked the 
musician, looking at the maid in a puzzled 
way. 

I mane, sor, that there’s something up 
there that shouldn’t be up there — I heard 
a quare noise awhile ago, and I started 
to go up; but I sthopped short whin I was 
half-way on the stairs, for there was a ter- 
rible gurgling soimd, and it came to me, 
quick, ^ ’Tis a bugalar,’ says I, ‘ and he’s 
chokin’ some one.’ ” 

^^It was Waggles, no doubt,” said the 
musician. 

“ Ya^ fraulein,^^ declared Herr Stein, re- 
assuringly. He iss one playful, leetle 
dog.” 

’Twas not Waggles, beggin’ yer par- 
don, ’twas no dog at all. There! did ye 
hear that? ” 

There was dead silence in the dining- 
room, while the frightened maid, one hand 


84 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


on the portiere, the other on her lips, looked 
out toward the stairway. There was a faint 
gurgling sound from above, followed by a 
lusty cry. 

There! May the Saints protect us! 
d’ye hear that? ” cried Nora, while the 
musician and his wife, followed by their 
guest, arose hastily and started for the 
stairs. 

Goody! Goody! Goody! ” cried Alys, 
clapping her hands. ‘‘ Now they’ll see the 
surprise.” 

Nora was too excited to notice the child’s 
words; she helped Alys out of her high 
chair, and then stood with clasped hands. 

Don’t sthir, Alys darlin’; don’t lave 
this room! ” 

Oh! I must,” cried Alys. It’s my 
surprise — folks don’t want them at first, 
Maggie said; but they have to keep them, 
and the longer they keep them the better 
they like them.” 

The child ran up-stairs to her own little 
room, to find her father and mother bend- 
ing over the bed, while Herr Stein stood at 
the door, shaking with laughter. 


AN INTERRUPTED DINNER PARTY 85 

What a perfect little cherub/’ cried 
Mrs. Von Mayer, taking Birdie in her 
arms. 

She’s mine! she’s yours! she’s ours! ” 
cried Alys, excitedly. 

‘‘ Ah! Now I know what you meant by 
the surprise, Alys. Tell us just where you 
got the baby,” said the musician. 

Well, you see. Tommy Bunch was cry- 
ing because he was lost, so I took his hand 
and brought him home — away off — a long 
way from here — and it’s a real, old, little, 
tumbly house near a big marsh — and 
there’s lots of little, teeny, weeny houses 
around it — and the little, tumbly house is 
where all the Bunches live — and the teeny, 
weeny houses are where all the hens and 
chickens and goats and things live — and 
there’s ever so many Bimches — there’s 
Maggie, and Mamie, and Lizzie, and Nelly, 
and Katie, and Bernie, and Johnny, and 
Tommy, and Birdie, and — and — lots more 
— and Maggie said I could have Birdie for 
my own. She wanted a doll, you see. She 
had no dolls, but lots of babies, and I had 
no babies, but lots of dolls, so she came 


86 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


home with me and I gave her Rosamond 
for Birdie/’ 

But, Alys dear, where was Maggie’s 
mother? ” 

At work, and Maggie said she was quite 
sure her mother would not mind, ’cause, 
you see, there are so many Bunches that 
Birdie will never be missed.” 

A great giggle interrupted this recital, 
and made everybody turn to see Nora 
standing at the door, her face red from 
suppressed laughter. 

If you please, sor, there’s a little girl 
down-stairs at the back door, cryin’ the 
eyes out o’ her head. She says she wants 
her baby.” 

“ Come, Birdie dear,” said the musician, 
taking the baby from his wife’s arms; 

we’ll see about it.” 

Then the little group followed the musi- 
cian down-stairs, and out to the back door, 
where Maggie Bunch, the picture of de- 
spair, was waiting. 

<< There’s your doll,” said Maggie, as she 
caught sight of Alys. I brought it back 
and I want my baby.” 


AN INTERRUPTED DINNER PARTY 87 

We wouldn’t keep your baby for the 
world,” said the musician, with a smile. 
‘‘ Here she is, safe and sound. I t hink she’s 
had a fine sleep.” 

‘‘ And I want her carriage, too, pouted 
Maggie. 

‘‘I’ll get it,” said Alys, darting across 
the yard behind Happyland. She soon 
emerged with the dilapidated vehicle that 
had been dignified with the name of car- 
riage. 

Maggie’s face brightened perceptibly at 
sight of it, and, when the musician had 
placed Birdie gently on the old comforter, 
and Mrs. Von Mayer had tucked her in, 
Maggie’s tongue was loosened. 

“I’m awful sorry I gave it away,” she 
said. “ I didn’t think mother would care, 
and your little girl wanted her awful! ” 

“ But your mother did care, and she 
wanted her baby very much, now didn’t 
she? ” said Mrs. Von Mayer. 

“ Yessum,” returned Maggie, vigor- 
ously. “ She was awful mad at me; she 
said, if anything happened to Birdie, I’d 
get a good beating.” 


88 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


Birdie is all right/’ declared the musi- 
cian. She’s had the best of care. Your 
mother needn’t worry about that part of it 
at all.” 

And, Maggie dear,” whispered Mrs. 
Von Mayer, you can’t swap dolls for 
babies, you know.” 

I didn’t know,” said Maggie, till my 
mother told me. She said a whole lot about 
it.” 

‘‘ But you shall have the doll, just the 
same,” observed Mrs. Von Mayer. 

‘‘Oh! Can I, truly? ” cried Maggie, joy- 
ously. 

“ Yes, truly,” said Alys, who had been 
looking on, her young heart filled with con- 
flicting emotions. “ Here’s Eosamond. 
You can keep her for your very own.” 

“Oh! thank you! ” said Maggie. 
“ Thank you! ” and, placing the doll be- 
side Birdie, Maggie guided the carriage out 
of the yard, and started for home. 

“ Now,” said Mrs. Von Mayer, “ that we 
have safely disposed of a live baby, let’s 
go back and finish dinner.” 


CHAPTER Vin 
“a fish chariot” 


N‘ 


"ORA, why are twins? ’’ 

Now, Alys, for the love o’ 
hivin, don’t be askin’ me army 
questions like that. Twins are twins be- 
cause they are, and that’s all there is about 
it! ” 


But why are they twins, Nora? ” 

’Cause they can’t help it, Alys, and no 
one blames them; they was bom that way.” 

What way? ” 

Why bom twins, a-course.” 

Well, Nora, Barbara and Bertha are 
born twins. They live down the street, and 
their mother, Mrs. Briggs, called the other 
day. They are very fat, and four years old, 
and they dress just alike, and they look 
just esactly alike.” 

‘‘ A-course they do; that’s why they’re 
twins.” 


89 


90 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

Does that make them twins, Nora? 

^^It does.” 

Do all twins look just alike? ” 

They do.” 

And dress just alike? ” 

They do.” 

If I dressed just like you, Nora, and 
looked just like you, would we be twins? ” 

We would not, Alys! Ye have to be 
the wan age, and have the wan father and 
mother.” 

But, Nora, I just love twins; I would 
like so much to be twins. If I was twins, 
like Barbara and Bertha, they’d be two of 
us, and I could play lovely with the other 
little girl that looked just like me. Why 
wasn’t I born twins, Nora? ” 

Don’t be askin’ me anny thing like 
that, Alys.” 

Oh! Please tell me why I wasn’t twins, 
Nora.” 

Well, yer father and mother wanted 
just wan little girl, an’ that’s how it 
was.” 

Did Mr. and Mrs. Briggs want two 
little girls? ” 


'‘A FISH CHARIOT 


91 


I wouldn’t be so bould as to say that, 
Alys; but they got two, annyway.” 

‘‘ Are there many twins in the world, 
Nora? ” 

Yis, there’s quite a few; me own first 
cousin had twins twict.” 

What are ^ twins twict,’ Nora? ” 
Twins twict make four.” 

Oh, now I know what you mean, Nora! 
It’s the multiplication table — Do-re says 
it sometimes.” 

He does! Does he say his prayers 
sometimes, I dunno? ” 

Yes, Nora, now I know just esactly 
what he means. One times one is one — 
that’s me, Nora; and twins are two — 
that’s Barbara and Bertha; and twict 
twins are four — that’s your own first 
cousins; and — what comes after twins 
twict, Nora? ” 

<4 Tiirouble! Now go^ before I invy ev’ry 
dummy in the world.” 

Oh! Nora, what is a dummy? ” 

A dummy is a dummy, and you can’t 
make anny thing else out o’ him; an’ he 
won’t talk, ’cause he can’t talk, bein’ that 


92 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


the talk ain’t in him — though there be 
thim that won’t talk from choice; — but a 
rale, thrue dummy is dumb more from 
necissity than choice — now go away, Alys, 
like a good child, an’ lave me to do me 
work.” 

Yes, I’m going, Nora; but, Nora, aren’t 
you sorry you’re not twins? ” 

“ I am not; for I don’t know now what 
wan man manes, an’, if there was two o’ 
me, he wouldn’t know, himsel’. Now, go 
out.” 

Alys turned and ran out of the house, and 
then stood looking wistfully at the path in 
the woods. It was a little too early for 
Jane, so Alys decided to get all the dolls 
from the Castle of Sunshine, and carry 
them into Happyland. Her father had 
placed a large rustic bench there, and her 
mother had arranged a small table and two 
chairs. While Alys was bustling about, 
Jane appeared with Arabella, and the little 
girls decided to play afternoon tea ” with 
their dolls. Now an afternoon tea in 
Happyland was a very interesting and de- 
lightful affair. First of all, Jane set the 









ALYS POURED THE TEA 






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A FISH CHARIOT 


93 


table with Alys’s very best china tea set, 
while Alys, herself, arranged the dolls in 
various positions aroimd the table. She 
made it a point always to have her very 
best doll reclining in an easy, graceful atti- 
tude, with several dolls near to look at her, 
as it were. The black-eyed doll, Vixen, had 
to sit erect and alert and alone, because her 
temper was such that Alys felt that she 
might make sharp speeches. Isabella, with 
a clean handkerchief draped like a shawl 
on her shabby shoulders, was supposed to 
be talking confidentially to Lady Arabella, 
who, by the way, had a whole chair to her- 
self, because of her size and her numerous 
skirts and petticoats. 

When the dolls were all placed so that 
the two little hostesses decided that they 
looked like real ladies, Alys poured the tea. 

It was water, of course; but good-hearted 
Nora had given them real sugar for their 
sugar bowl, and a little milk for the cream 
pitcher, and it was so easy just to pretend 
that it was fresh-brewed tea. Jane served 
the tiny cups to the dolls, and carried on 
quite a lengthy conversation with each and 


94 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

all to prove that they were enjoying them- 
selves. She got very angry with Lady Ara- 
bella, however, because that queer doll so 
far forgot the etiquette of this social func- 
tion that she asked for tea five times, and 
finally spilled a cup all over herself. She 
had, moreover, actually appeared at an 
afternoon tea without even washing her 
face! 

At last Jane lost all patience with Ara- 
bella and shook her right before everybody. 
At this trying moment Alys was serving 
tea to the faithful Isabel, who, I am happy 
to say, had been so well trained that, ap- 
parently, she never saw Arabella’s mis- 
takes, and talked to her neighbor just as 
if everything were going along smoothly. 

I think twins are lovely, Mrs. Briggs,” 
said Alys, speaking, of course, for Isabel, 
‘‘ and yours are so fat and wobbly, just like 
their dear papa, bless him! Of course, dear 
Mrs. Briggs, they must be a great care! I 
know what it is to have to bathe and dress 
and feed and ’pare bottles for one baby; 
imagine doing it for two! You have my 
sympathy, dear Mrs. Briggs.” 


A FISH CHARIOT 


95 


Be quiet, Arabella, and stop your 
screaming; shame on you! ” cried Jane, 
shaking her fist at the rag doll. Shame 
on you, I say, to come to a tea-party with a 
dirty face! ” 

I’d like to send her home until she can 
be a lady,” said Alys. Let’s take her 
home, Jane, and then she’ll never come to 
my party, again, looking so soiled and 
fnunpy.” 

Come along, then,” returned Jane. 

We’ll go now.” 

Excuse us, ladies,” observed Alys, 
looking around at the different dolls. 

Have a good time in Happy land until we 
come back.” 

Now you great, big, mussed-up, fiatty 
thing,” cried Jane, taking Arabella in her 
arms, ‘‘ you’ve got to come home with me. 
I’m going to teach you manners — I’ll 
make you good. I’ll shake you good! ” 

Suiting the action to the word, Jane 
shook Arabella so vigorously that Alys re- 
monstrated. 

'‘Oh! Please don’t shake her any more, 
Jane; I’m afraid you’ll hurt her.” 


96 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

You can’t hurt her,” retorted Jane. 

She’s double-stuffed, and she’s got ever 
so many petticoats on.” 

Oh! Jane, wouldn’t it be fun to take 
them all off ! ” 

You couldn’t do that, Alys, for auld 
Mazie sewed them on.” 

Why, how funny! ” cried Alys. All 
my dolls’ clothes have buttons and button- 
holes in them.” 

Well, you know,” declared Jane in 
meaning tones, auld Mazie just had to 
sew Arabella’s skirts on! ” 

<< Why, Jane? ” 

’Twas on account of the fish chariot. 
One day, when I wanted to take off Ara- 
bella’s clothes, auld Mazie told me all about 
it.” 

Oh! Let’s hurry, and ask old Mazie to 
tell me,” cried Alys, scenting a new adven- 
ture. 

When they reached the red cottage old 
Mazie was paring potatoes on the porch. 
She smiled at the children, and called Alys 
a guid lass; ” but, when Jane explained 
that Alys wanted to hear about the fish 


FISH CHARIOT 


97 


chariot, and why she had been obliged to 
sew Arabella up, the old woman dropped 
her knife and rolled her eyes in the 
strangest manner. 

Aweel, lass, it’s a wild tale. I told 
you, before, how Arabella went off on the 
back of a gentleman cat; but that was noth- 
ing to the nicht she went off riding in a fish 
chariot.” 

Fish chariot? ” exclaimed Alys. 
‘‘ What is a fish chariot, Mazie? ” 

‘‘ A fish chariot, lass, is a coach made 
out of the biggest sea-shell you ever saw, 
and there’s a pretty seat covered with 
green sea moss, and it’s drawn by four 
fishes, an’ one nicht, when Jane was in bed 
asleep, an’ I was dozing in my chair at the 
window — it was a verra hot nicht, an’ the 
moon was full an’ the tides were high — 
aweel, lass, the fish chariot drove up to the 
front door, then they flapped their tails and 
shook out the sea moss an’, all at once, the 
whole place was filled wi’ the salt smell of 
the sea— Oh! ’twas grand! ” 

Yes — yes — go on, Mazie, please.” 

Aweel, lass, Arabella jiunps up — she 


98 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

thought I was asleep, the limmer — and she 
takes a deep breath, once, twice, three times 
— ‘ my! but it’s a braw nicht for the brine,’ 
laughed Arabella. Then she tiptoes to the 
door, opens it, and steps right up to the 
sea-moss seat in the fish chariot, an’ off it 
started.” 

And you followed them, Mazie? ” 

Aye, lass, that I did. I hobbled out o’ 
the house, an’ I rin after them as fast as I 
could.” 

“ Where did they take her that night, 
Mazie? ” 

To the shore, lass, where the pretty 
waves were breaking in white foamy hills, 
an’ a great moon in the sky was looking 
down to see that the tide came up good and 
high.” 

But what did Arabella do at the shore, 
Mazie? ” 

Sech doings — sech sights — I’ll never 
forget, Alys.” 

Oh! Tell us about it, please.” 

Aweel, first of all, Arabella jumps out 
of the fish chariot. ^ What a grand nicht 
to go in bathing,’ says Arabella. I was all 


‘‘A FISH CHARIOT 


99 


of a tremble, Alys, for, thinks I to mysel’, 
if she goes in there, she’ll drown.” 

Ajid then what happened, Mazie? ” 

Why, then, the four fishes took a fiy- 
ing skip into the sea, chariot and all, and, 
the next minute, Arabella stands up before 
my very eyes— I was hiding behind a rock 
—and skips aboot like a fairy. Then she 
takes off all her clothes. ^ One, two, 
three! ’ she cries out, and dives into a 
breaker.” 

Oh! Mazie, what then? ” 

Why, lass, she was gone, disappeared 
from sight. I thought o’ poor Jane wi’- 
thout her doll, an’ I cried to mysel’, ‘ how 
shall I tell the poor bairn that Ara- 
bella’s gone at last — drowned,’ says I to 
mysel’; but I had hardly uttered them 
words, when — Oh! Oh! Oh! sech a 
sight! ” 

WTiat was it, Mazie? ” 

<< Why, lass, five mermaids, wi’ faces like 
beautiful ladies; but ending wi’ tails, rose 
out of the water, and there was Arabella 
in the midst o’ them, an’ they were laugh- 
ing and throwing spray at each other, an’ 


100 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

at that bold doll. ‘ Oh! you dear Ara- 
bella,’ said one of the mermaids, ‘ don’t go 
home to Jane; come an’ be our doll; we’ll 
make you a dear little house o’ coral down 
under the sea, and we’ll gi’ you a string o’ 
pearls to wear.’ 

Well, that naughty Arabella played 
wi’ them, an’ laughed wi’ them, and sang 
songs for them, though, when she sang, 
they crowed wi’ derision an’ nearly dou- 
bled in two wi’ laughing. But, long last, 
Arabella skips over the breakers an’ steps 
on the sand. 

‘ Oh! Arabella, come back to us, please 
come back,’ called the mermaids. 

‘ No,’ said Arabella, ‘ I will na, for I 
like lots o’ skirts an’ petticoats, an’ you 
don’t wear any.’ 

^ Come back, dear Arabella, an’ we’ll 
make you a new green dress out of silken 
seaweed, wi’ real pearl buttons.’ 

^ No,’ said Arabella, ‘not to-night, 
dear mermaids; but some night, when I’m 
lonesome, send the fish chariot for me, an’ 
I’ll come; an’ you might get a few yards 
of silken seaweed to take the pattern off 


A FISH CHARIOT” 


101 


my dress. Now I must go— good night, 
dear friends.’ ” 

‘‘Was that all, Mazie? ” 

“ No, lass; for then the largest mermaid 
flapped her tail on the water four times, 
and said: — 

‘ Come Finney, come Flounder, 

Come Coddy and Bounder, 

and take dear Arabella home.’ 

“ In the twinkling of an eye the fish 
chariot rose out of the water, and Arabella 
steps in, takes the reins, and off they 
started. Of course she got home long be- 
fore a puir auld body that had to crawl 
home wi’ a lame leg. There was na sign o’ 
the fish chariot when I got to the house, an’ 
Arabella was asleep on the floor; but, the 
verra next day, Alys, I took an’ sewed on 
to her wi’ good strong thread that wild 
doll’s skirts an’ petticoats. Cause, why? 
Don’t you see, lass, that, if the mermaids 
once got the pattern of them, they’d make 
sech grand clothes for her an’ for their- 
selves that there’s no knowing what would 
happen! For style could spoil the Atlantic 


102 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


Ocean, an’, as for Arabella, she’d never 
come back to Jane, for she’s a vain doll, the 
jade. Now rin an’ play like a guid lass, for 
I’ve talked too much.” 

Thank you very much, Mazie, for tell- 
ing me about it, and I’m very glad that you 
sewed up Arabella,” 


CHAPTER IX 


ALYS PLAYS POSTMAN 

T he days slipped away until Spring 
had grown so fair that Summer 
must needs come forth to show her 
riper loveliness. Happyland was a veri- 
table garden. There were violets under the 
green bushes, and the Brightwood fields 
were yellow with buttercups. Mrs. Clover, 
with Dorothy and Mignon, had called sev- 
eral times, and the little girls had beautiful 
times playing in Happyland. Everybody 
within and without the pretty new home 
was radiantly happy. ^Did I say every- 
body?— Ah! That was a slip. Every- 
body was happy except just one person, 
and that was the very last person in the 
world that you would suspect. It wasn’t 
Alys; Alys was like a ray of sunshine all 
the time. It wasn’t her good father and 
mother; they were too happy for words. 

103 


104 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

It wasn’t Waggles; Waggles couldn’t 
stand still for sheer happiness, and there- 
fore most of the time he just wiggled. 
Was it Nora? Yes, that’s just who it was! 

Nora was unhappy and no one knew it, 
least of all Aiys. And so, one fair morning, 
when father and mother had taken an early 
train for the city, Alys found Nora crying 
on the back steps, and the child was sur- 
prised and not a little troubled. 

‘‘ Why are you crying, Nora? ” said 
Alys, dropping into a seat beside the maid. 

I dunno, darlin’,” returned Nora, cov- 
ering her face with her apron, ‘‘it’s not 
for me health, annyhow.” 

“ Are you happy, Nora? ” 

“ I’m as happy as a fox in a cage, that’s 
how happy I am! ” 

“ Are you lonesome, Nora? ” 

“Now you’ve said it, Alys! I’m that 
lonesome at times I could talk to the 
sthumps. It’s true what Tim said, that 
this place was so quiet that a blind man 
that sthruck it by chance would think he 
was in a cemetery.” 

“Oh! Nora, has your Tim gone blind? ” 


ALYS PLAYS POSTMAN 105 

He is that, Alys; but not with love. 
He niver wanted me to come out here, and, 
now that I’m here, he’s been getting colder 
and colder.” 

Well, please don’t cry for him, Nora.” 

Is it me cry for him?— Niver! ” de- 
clared Nora, wiping her eyes. I’ll fix 
him.” 

Then the maid arose and went into the 
house, leaving Alys with a most puzzled 
expression on her dear little face. After 
awhile she, too, arose, and went into the 
kitchen, where the first thing her eyes fell 
upon was a pile of letters on the table. 

<< Why, Nora, what are you going to do 
with all those letters? ” 

<< I’m going to tie them all up, and send 
them back.” 

Don’t you want them any more, 
Nora? ” 

^^No, I don’t.” 

Then, to the little girl’s surprise, Nora 
burst into tears. Alys said so much to try 
and comfort her that at last Nora smiled, 
in spite of herself, and wiped the tears 
away. Then she kissed Alys and bade her 


106 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

run out and play with Jane who, at that 
moment, appeared at the back door. 

The children played a delightful game. 
They made believe ’’ that they were real 
ladies, calling on each other, with their 
children. 

Nora gave Alys a long skirt, a cape, and 
two old hats, and the two little girls dressed 
themselves up in the finery. Jane was Mrs. 
Brown, while Alys called herself Mrs. 
Winters. They walked up and down the 
sidewalk a few times, and then sat on the 
piazza like real ladies. 

My Arabella is a very naughty child; 
she runs away sometimes,’’ observed Mrs. 
Brown. 

My Vixen has a frightful temper,” de- 
clared Mrs. Winters. 

<< Why don’t you spank her, Mrs. Win- 
ters? ” 

Because I don’t believe in copperall 
punishment,” returned Mrs. Winters, who 
had overheard a very important subject 
discussed one day. 

My Arabella is very pretty; but she’s 
selfish, I’m sorry to say.” 


ALYS PLAYS POSTMAN 107 

I donT think Arabella’s pretty, at all,” 
said Alys, forgetting the dignified role 
of Mrs. Winters. ‘‘ Her face is too 
fiat.” 

No, it isn’t.” 

Yes, it is, Jane. Besides, Arabella 
wears too many skirts.” 

She doesn’t.” 

‘‘ Yes she does, Jane.” 

She doesn’t at all. I’m mad with you, 
and I’m going straight home! ” 

Jane arose and pulled off the cape and 
the old hat. 

I’ll never come over to your house and 
play with you again, Alys Von Mayer.” 

And I’ll never speak to you again, Jane 
Lawrie.” 

‘‘ I don’t care— so there! ” 

Jane clasped Arabella close in her arms, 
and hurried away; but, before she reached 
the hedge, there were tears in her dark 
eyes. Alys felt very badly, too; it was 
their first quarrel. 

But, how could Jane say that Arabella 
was pretty? At last it came to Alys that, 
since every mother loved her child, a little 


IDS 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


girl might love her doll child very much, 
and think it beautiful. 

She dropped Vixen and ran to the hedge, 
and called Jane to come back; but her 
little playmate would not even look. At 
last Alys turned reluctantly and went into 
the house, to find Nora and sympathy. But 
the maid was not in the kitchen, so Alys 
dropped into a chair, making a very for- 
lorn little figure. 

All at once her eyes rested on the pack- 
age of letters beside the clock on the man- 
telpiece. They were all tied together with 
a piece of blue ribbon, and it occurred to 
Alys that they would be very nice to play 
with, for she remembered that Nora had 
said that she did not want them. 

Oh, goody! ” cried Alys, and, step- 
ping on a chair, she reached for the letters. 
‘‘Now I’ll get Jane, and we’ll play post- 
man,” thought the little girl, and, with a 
bound, she was out of the house and after 
Jane. 

The little Scotch girl had reached the red 
cottage, and was warbling and singing like 
a bird when Alys appeared. 


ALYS PLAYS POSTMAN 109 

Oh! Jane, come out, won’t yon please? 
I’m not mad with yon any more! See these 
lovely letters. Nora said she didn’t want 
them. Come and play postman.” 

“ How do yon play it? ” asked Jane, 
slipping an arm aronnd Alys. 

The little girl was silent a moment, then 
she looked np, her face radiant. 

I know, Jane! Let’s be like a real 
postman. Let’s go to every honse, and 
ring the bell, and leave a letter. Wonldn’t 
that be jnst be-ootifnl! ” 

Be-ootifnl! ” cried Jane. Come 
along! ” 

They hnrried ont of the woods and, in 
a short time, fonnd themselves on a new 
street. They walked to the first honse, 
a very imposing looking mansion, bnilt 
of field stone with many shining win- 
dows. 

Alys rang the bell three times before the 
door was opened by a very dignified old 
lady. 

Mail, mail!” cried Alys, dropping a 
letter into the old lady’s hand, who stared 
at it very hard, then, blinking her eyes, she 


110 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

said quickly, My dear child, I can’t read 
one word without my glasses.” 

But Alys was too impatient to hear. 
When the old lady got her letter the little 
postman hurried on to the next house. 
Here they dropped two letters into the mail 
box, skipped down the steps, and aroimd 
the corner to another street. 

Mr. Astley Atkins, a very florid gentle- 
man, was dozing comfortably on his piazza 
when somebody stuffed a letter into his 
flst and was gone before he could remon- 
strate. Not that Mr. Astley Atkins would 
have done anything of the sort, for, as the 
discoverer of Brightwood, and the only 
real estate man in the place, Mr. Atkins 
made it a point to never let a chance go 

t>y- 

On and on ran the children, and dropped 
a letter at every door until there was only 
one left. Waving the last letter between 
them, the children reached the Main street 
with its sprinkling of shops and business 
places. Suddenly they stopped before a 
small store, and stood for a moment look- 
ing at the great sign over the door: 


ALYS PLAYS POSTMAN 


111 


Antonio Santangelo — Barber. 

Inside the door a very swarthy little man, 
wearing a white coat, was talking to a tall, 
stout, black-eyed woman, dressed for the 
street, with a wreath of gayly-colored flow- 
ers in her hat and great gold loops in her 
ears. 

Alys hesitated for a moment, then, open- 
ing the door of the shop, she stepped in and 
placed the last letter in the woman’s hands. 

Now they’re all gone, Jane, and wasn’t 
it flne? ” 

I wish we could do it all over again,’’ 
said Jane. 

Then the two little mischief makers, 
thoroughly happy over the success of their 
game of postman, skipped along, not know- 
ing exactly where they were going. It was 
a pleasant surprise, therefore, when they 
reached the stone bridge, to see Do-re com- 
ing toward them. 

With a shout of joy Alys ran to meet 
him, followed by Jane. Do-re had a long 
box in one hand, and several small pack- 
ages in the other. 


112 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

Oh! Do-re, I feel so happy,’’ cried 
Alys, regarding the mysterious packages 
with a satisfied smile. 

And I feel just like a commuter, Alys, 
with all these bundles.” 

Is it something for me and Jane? — Is 
it a lovely surprise? Oh! please tell us! ” 

Hold on now, Alys, ^ don’t run away 
wid yourself,’ as Nora would say.” 

Nora’s not happy. Do-re. Tim’s colder 
than colder.’’ 

Eh, what’s that? ” asked the aston- 
ished youth. 

Tim, you know. Don’t you remember 
Nora’s Tim? Last week he was cold, and 
he made poor Nora cry, and he never 
wanted her to come out here, because this 
place is a blind man’s cemetery.” 

To Alys’s surprise, Do-re stood on the 
street and laughed immoderately, but it 
was only for a second, then he hurried on. 

Come, chickens, I’ve got a splendid 
surprise up my sleeve for you.” 

When they reached the house, Do-re went 
at once into the back yard, and over the 
hedge to the woods. He placed his bundles 


ALYS PLAYS POSTMAN 113 

on the ground, and then made frequent 
trips to the cellar of Alys’s house. 

What are you going to make, Do-re? 

Don’t ask me, Alys; you’ll see for 
yourself in a very short time.” 

Then he ran into the house and brought 
out an immense strip of canvas, while J ane 
and Alys sat on the ground and watched 
every move. With the aid of a small lad- 
der, and some nails and a hammer. Do-re 
succeeded in stretching the canvas to four 
young maple trees that grew so as to form 
a square, and served as posts for the roof 
of a pretty camp house. 

A top for Happy land! It’s beautiful, 
Do-re! ” 

It will protect two little mothers from 
the sun and the rain,” said the builder, 
when they play out here with their doll 
children. But it’s only the first stage,” he 
went on; the next time I come out I’ll 
build the floor and decide about the sides. 
I mean to make Happyland just as inter- 
esting a place as the Castle of Sunshine.” 

And please put a sign over the door. 
Do-re. I always loved the sign over the 


114 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

door of my Castle. Do you remember 

it?’’ 

Perfectly, Alys:— 

THE CASTLE OF SUNSHINE AND CHEER 
Princess Alys — Prince Do-re 

Sunshine made and distributed to all parts of 
the house, free of charge. 

Good cheer made expressly for: — 

Dark Days. 

Disappointments . 

Dubious Faces. 

Cross-patches. 

Sick-rooms. 

Bitter Medicines. 

Bad News. 

Anger Clouds. 

Hard Lessons. 

Failures, Blues, and All Croakers. 

Yes, that’s just it,” cried Alys. So 
please write a sign for Happyland. I just 
love signs and things,— why, if there were 
no sign over it, people might think this 
lovely camp house was only a wood-shed.” 

Or a Moxie and lemonade stall,” put in 
Do-re. “ You are right as usual, Alys. 
Happyland must have an appropriate in- 


ALYS PLAYS POSTMAN 115 

scription immediately, and I’ll add a few 
touches here and there so that no one will 
ever make any mistake about it’s not being 
just what it is.” 

Then the builder got a smooth board and 
some red and green paint which he used to 
print the following in very artistic letter- 
ing:— 


HAPPYLAND 

‘‘ We’ll wind the way to Happyland, 

O’er fields of scented clover, 

Through miles and miles of sunny smiles 
And blue skies bending over. 

O’er sun-lit walks and love-lit talks, 

With elfs of laughter hiding. 

And voices sweet to lure the feet, 

And baby fingers guiding. 

“ Come, let’s away to Happyland, 

But leave the years behind us. 

For, if we stay where children play. 

Old age may never find us.” 

Do-re placed this sign over the entrance 
and then, with deft fingers, arranged a few 
branches of the maple tree around it to add 
to the rustic appearance of the pretty place. 
It took quite a long time to do all this; but, 


116 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

when the task was completed, this resource- 
ful youth and the two happy little girls 
were very much pleased with the result. 

Now, Alys, there’s the surprise that 
was up my sleeve,— a bully place to play 
and plan good times.” 

Alys was about to answer when her at- 
tention was called to the sudden appear- 
ance of a little swarthy man, in a white 
coat, hurrying into the yard, followed by a 
tall, stout woman with great ear-rings in 
her ears. 

It is no for me,” shouted the barber, 
with a grin, waving a letter in Do-re’s face. 

I don’t understand, sir,” said Do-re. 

What is wrong? ” 

Dere,” said the little man, holding the 
letter under Do-re’s astonished gaze. 

You read her! ” 

Miss Nora Teresa Tighe 

53 Woodcliff Road 

Brightwood.” 

said Do-re, reading aloud the address on 
the letter. 


ALYS PLAYS POSTMAN 


117 


That’s Nora’s letter,” cried Alys. 

‘‘Yes, sir,” said Do-re. “ That letter 
belongs to the young woman who lives 
here. 

“ Nora, come here a moment, please,” 
called Do-re, as the maid at that moment 
appeared in the back yard. 

Nora approached with a scowl on her 
wholesome countenance. She had always 
had doubts of Do-re’s sanity, and the ap- 
pearance of the little foreigner and his wife 
made her doubly suspicious. 

“ Nora,” said Do-re, “ this man has come 
into possession of a letter addressed to 
you.” 

“ Yah— see— is eet? ” cried the barber, 
flashing the letter before the astonished 
maid. 

With a look that made the little man 
shrink, Nora snatched the letter from his 
hand. 

“ How did you get my letter? ” cried 
Nora, her eyes flashing. 

“ The leetla girl— she gif me the letter,” 
said the barber’s wife. 

“ Yah— we follow dat leetla girl, and she 


118 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


meet dis yong man, an’ they come here, an’ 
I bring her de let. What you gif me for 
de let? How much you pay? ” 

My own letter! Glory be! ” cried 
Nora. G’out, g’out here quick! ” 

The swarthy little man cast a frightened 
look at the angry maid and ran out of the 
yard, followed by his wife. Then Nora, 
with the letter tight in her fist, turned and 
walked away. But she had hardly entered 
the house when there was a scream of 
mingled rage and disappointment. 

My letters! My letters! Where’s my 
letters that I left here on this mantel! ” 
Oh! Nora dear,” cried Alys, running 
into the kitchen, followed by Do-re; ‘‘ you 
said that you didn’t want the letters any 
more, so I took them, and me and Jane 
played postman with them, and we left one 
at every house— and— ” 

A little squeal from Nora interrupted the 
recital, and Alys stood there mute and con- 
science-stricken. 

‘‘ Nora,” said Do-re, I’ll go with the 
children and they will show me just where 
your letters were left and I feel very sure 


ALYS PLAYS POSTMAN 119 

that I shall be able to get them all back for 
you.” 

Thank you, sor! ” said Nora, somewhat 
mollified. But, when Do-re and the two 
little girls had departed, the maid threw 
herself into a chair and wept. 

To think of it,” groaned Nora. To 
think of my Tim’s letthers being read by 
that crazy Dago an’ a parcel o’ train 
snatchers! It’s enough to make a dacent 
man desthroy ev’ry letther he ever wrote 
afore he wrote it. Och, but this is a terrible 
place! ” 

In the meantime Alys and Jane re- 
traced their steps, pointing out to Do-re 
the houses where they had left Nora’s let- 
ters. When Do-re had explained the mat- 
ter, everybody was smiling and courteous 
about returning these same letters, that is, 
everybody but Mr. Astley Atkins, the dis- 
coverer of Brightwood. 

He returned the letter with every mark 
of outraged feeling. 

Young man,” he snarled, I read 
much of that letter before I realized it was 
not meant for me; but it’s an insult to me, 


120 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

sir, and to this beautiful town, sir, and, if 
you are the author of that letter, I want to 
say right here and now, sir, that Bright- 
wood is not a place set apart to do pen- 
ance; it’s the most beautiful suburb of the 
state, sir. I’d have you know, young man, 
that there are no croakers out here except 
the frogs! Good afternoon, sir! ” 

AJys wondered why the old gentleman 
looked so indignant, and why Do-re’s face 
was so red; but she was very quiet as she 
walked beside her friends on the way home. 

When Do-re reached the house and had 
placed the bundle of letters safely in 
Nora’s own hands, he took Alys and Jane 
aside and, in the nicest way in the world, 
tried to make two small people understand 
why there was only one thing to do with 
other people’s letters. 


CHAPTER X 


A NEW ACQUAINTANCE 


N the top of that big hill,” said 



Alys to Jane the following after- 
noon, when they were taking a 


Alys 


walk with their dolls, lives Uncle John.” 

<< Why, Alys, you never told me before 
that your Uncle John lived in Brightwood.” 

Oh, he isn’t my Uncle John, he’s 
Do-re’s uncle. Do-re used to live there 
when he was a little boy.” 

What is his uncle’s name, Alys? ” 

Professor Grayle.” 

Professor Grayle! ” exclaimed Jane. 
<< Why, that’s where Mrs. McDowell lives. 
She’s Professor Grayle ’s housekeeper, and 
she comes to see auld Mazie sometimes.” 

Let’s go and see her,” said Alys, 
eagerly. We’ll bring our dolls and 
make believe we’re real ladies calling.” 

I’ll have to ask auld Mazie first,” said 
Jane. 


121 


122 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


Let’s hurry back and ask her at once,” 
said Alys, for I’d love to climb that high 
hill and see Professor Grayle’s house.” 

But, when they reached the red cottage 
in the woods, and told auld Mazie their 
errand, she shook her head. You cannot 
go to-day, Jane,” said the old woman, for 
the Professor is a very busy man and he 
does na like children ’round.” 

But Do-re lived there when he was a 
little boy,” declared Alys. 

Auld Mazie looked very much surprised 
at this piece of news. 

Is that the lad? ” she cried, and then 
added quickly, ‘‘ No, no, Jane; ye canna’ 
go to-day.” 

The children were very much disap- 
pointed. They turned away reluctantly 
and wended their footsteps toward Hap- 
pyland. 

Well,” said Alys, philosophically, we 
cannot go to-day, but some other day we 
may go.” 

Now it so happened that, the very next 
morning, Alys asked her mother if she 
might take Waggles and Vixen for a walk. 


A NEW ACQUAINTANCE 123 

and, when mother had given her permis- 
sion, the child started at once for the great 
hill. When she was half-way up, she felt 
so very tired that she placed Vixen on the 
plank walk, and sat down beside her to 
rest. It was a windy day, and Waggles 
had great sport chasing flying leaves and 
broken twigs. 

I don’t think I’ll climb all the way up 
this hill to-day,” said Alys, talking to her 
doll. ‘‘It’s the very steepest hill I ever 
tried.” 

She was watching Waggles chasing an 
imaginary something, and wiggling his fat 
little body, when, all at once, a man’s hat 
blew over her head, and then rolled down 
the side of the hill. 

“ Somebody’s hat has blown away; I 
wonder where it came from,” thought the 
child. She cast one eye at the hat, which 
had been stopped in its downward course 
by a bush; then she turned and looked 
back. 

Farther up the hill was a tall, thin man, 
his head uncovered, looking on all sides 
for the missing hat. Alys was on her feet 


124 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

in an instant, and Waggles, scenting some- 
thing, barked joyously. 

We must get the gentleman’s hat,” 
said Alys, and, with a bound, she started 
for the bush where the missing hat had 
lodged. 

Waggles was there before her, and Alys 
had to stoop and take it away from him. 
She retraced her steps, and hurried toward 
the bare-headed old man. They met on the 
very centre of the hill and Alys was a little 
out of breath when she asked: 

‘^Is this your hat, sir? ” 

It is— it is, my child.” He took the 
hat, then turned and walked on, while 
Alys took her seat beside Vixen. 

That house up there is just like a 
giant’s castle. Vixen,” whispered Alys, 
and, if that tall old man was just a little 
bigger, and a great deal fatter, and had 
wide, staring eyes, and a big club in his 
hand, he’d be the giant— and here he is, 
coming back again! ” 

Alys watched with childish interest as 
the old man approached, his shoulders 
slightly stooped, his gaze fixed on the 


A NEW ACQUAINTANCE 


125 


ground. Just as he reached her a sudden 
gust of wind arose and, if he had not 
clapped his hand quickly to his head, he 
would have lost his hat again. 

It’s a very windy day, sir,” ventured 
Alys. 

It is, child; unusually windy, for the 
season.” 

It makes me think of one of Do-re’s 
jingles,” said Alys, with a smile. 

^ Oh! wind, blow soft; Oh! wind, blow sweet, 

This happy summer weather; 

Kiss the tall trees; with ev^ry breeze 
The grasses bow together.’ ” 

Ho! ” said the old man, gruffly, ‘‘ what 
do you think the wind is? ” 

‘‘ I don’t know what it is, sir,” said 
Alys; but sometimes I make believe that 
there’s a great, big giant, and he lives in 
a castle, away up in the air, higher than 
the houses, higher than the trees, and, when 
he blows his breath over the land, it makes 
the wind.” 

Tut— tut— tut, child; wind is air in 
motion— that’s all, air in motion; never 
forget that again, will you? ” 


126 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

I’ll try not to, sir,” said Alys. 

No giant about it, my child, no non- 
sense at all; it’s just a plain fact. Wind 
is air in motion. Now do you understand, 
my child? ” 

Y— yes, I think so,” said Alys. 

Wind is air in motion.” 

“ Eight, child; quite right.” Then he 
turned, without another word, and con- 
tinued on his way, and Alys, feeling that 
she had stayed quite long enough, gathered 
Vixen in her arms, and ran lightly down 
the hill, followed by Waggles. 

That very afternoon. Do-re came out to 
Brightwood to see his little playmate and, 
when they were seated in Happyland, 
Alys told him the episode. 

I took a walk this morning up the high 
hill that leads to your Uncle John’s house, 
and I saw an old gentleman who lost his 
hat. The wind blew it away; but I found 
it for him.” 

What sort of a looking old gentleman 
was he? ” asked Do-re, a gleam of interest 
in his gray eyes. 

He was a very tall old gentleman, and 


A NEW ACQUAINTANCE 127 

lie told me that wind is air in motion. 
Please don’t forget that, Do-re; he’s very 
particular. The wind isn’t a giant’s 
breath at all,— it’s a plain fact.” 

For a moment Do-re laughed immoder- 
ately, then he looked very sober, even sad. 

Bury the plain facts for a few years, ’V 
he said, half to himself. Revel in fairy 
lore while you may, Alys. Did the old 
gentleman look happy, Alys? ” asked 
Do-re, suddenly. 

He was looking down, most all the 
time. Do-re; so really I cannot tell.” 

Alys wondered in her childish mind why 
Do-re looked so sober; but, just at this 
point Jane Lawrie appeared, and the sub- 
ject was forgotten for the time being. 


CHAPTER XI 


A JINGLE STORY 

LYS had met and made friends with 



a number of interesting little folks 


that lived in Brightwood. They 
often came to play with her, and many good 
times were planned in Happyland. 

One morning Alys and her mother were 
sitting in the pretty camp-house, talking 
over some of these good times, when the 
little girl asked suddenly— 

‘‘ What is a picnic, mother? ” 

Well, Alys, if you, and Jane, and Do-re, 
and father, and I took our lunch, and went 
away for an outing, we’d call it a picnic.” 

Could lots of other little boys and 
girls come too? ” 

Yes, indeed; the more the merrier, at 
a picnic.” 

Then I want to ask you, mother, if I 
may have a picnic some day, and invite all 
the boys and girls that I know.” 

Yes you may, Alys. I think it would 


A JINGLE STORY 129 

be jolly fun to have a picnic right in this 
wood.’^ 

And when may I have it, mother? ’’ 

You may have it next Tuesday after- 
noon/’ 

Goody! ” cried Alys. What shall we 
do?” 

‘‘Oh! We’ll do ever so many things. 
Just tell Do-re about it, and he’ll plan 
something fine, I’m sure, for he always has 
such good ideas.” 

“ I’ll tell him all about it,” cried Alys, 
“ and I’ll invite the twins, and Jane, and 
Norma Norris, and Ethel, and Dorothy, 
and Mignon, and Polly, and all the 
others! ” 

“ What a lot of little girls in Bright- 
wood! ” exclaimed mother. 

“ Yes, and there are lots of little boys, 
too; there’s Freddie, and Edgar, and Peter, 
and Warren! ” 

“ Do you think Happyland is large 
enough to hold them all, Alys? ” 

“ Oh, yes, mother; I’m sure that it is.” 

In the afternoon, while her mother was 
visiting. Do-re came out to Happyland. He 


130 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


found Alys fast asleep on the rustic bench, 
with Waggles curled up beside her. Do-re 
stole softly into the house for a book, and 
then seated himself near the rustic bench, 
and read until Alys opened her blue eyes 
and looked at him. 

‘‘Was I really asleep. Do-re? ’’ 

“ Sound, Alys, and I didn’t dare make a 
bit of noise for fear I’d spoil a lovely day- 
dream.” 

“Day-dream! Do people have day- 
dreams, Do-re? ” 

“ That is about all some people have in 
this old world, Alys.” 

“ Did you ever have any. Do-re? ” 

“ Yes, indeed, I’ve had a number of 
them.” 

“ Goody! Tell me about them.” 

“ Perhaps I may some time; but now I’m 
sure that you’d rather hear a jingle about 
a dream that a little boy had one night:— 

“ A little boy was dreaming, 

One drowsy winter night, 

That the big round moon was a golden clock 
That said, in the night, ^ tick-tack, tick-tock; ’ 
And the stars were watches bright. 


A JINGLE STORY 


131 


The big moon-clock and the watches bright 
Were hung on the wall of the skies; 

And the big moon-clock was the grown folk’s clock 
That said in the night, ‘ tick-tack, tick-tock; ’ 

But the stars were for children’s eyes. 

Watches to tell the time o’ night. 

Pretty star-watches high; 

(The big moon-clock was the grown folk’s clock) ; 

(It said in the night, ‘ tick-tack, tick-tock.’) 

And each baby bright in the world, that night. 
Knew his watch up there in the sky.” 

What a pretty jingle, Do-re! Tell me 
another, won’t you, please? ” 

Yes, here’s another, right off the 
reel:— 

“ Dimple and Dolly closed their eyes. 

And dreamed of meadows in the skies. 

The stars were daisies growing there; 

In the big round moon was a lady fair. 

“ She watched the children with a sigh, 

Then crooned a song from her casement high. 

So wondrous sad it was, and sweet — 

The flowers dropped at the children’s feet. 

“ They gained the tower, spellbound the while, 

Lured by the love-light of her smile. 

Oh! Lady, send them homeward soon; 

Dear little children in the moon.” 


132 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

That’s pretty, too, Do-re. What lots 
of jingles and stories you have, and, oh! 
I’m so glad you came to-day, because 
mother said that I could have a picnic 
next Tuesday afternoon, and invite all 
my friends, and I want you to help 
me.” 

<< Why, we’ll have the jolliest picnic 
that ever brightened Brightwood,” de- 
clared Do-re. 

Let’s write the invitations now,*” said 
Alys, enthusiastically. 

Then Do-re thought of a pretty plan. He 
went into the woods and got several pieces 
of birch bark, while Alys ran into the 
house and begged Nora for two pairs of 
scissors. She helped Do-re cut the bark 
into small squares, just large enough to 
hold the following invitation printed artis- 
tically:— 

Next Tuesday, if the sun doth shine, 

I’m going to have a picnic fine. 

We’ll start the fun in Happyland, 

(The birds and bees must be the band.) 

And I invite you (name), come, dear friend. 

The sunshine of your presence lend. 


A JINGLE STORY 133 

When the pretty invitations were all 
printed, Do-re enclosed each in an envel- 
ope, and he and Alys went to the different 
houses and delivered them. Dorothy 
Clover’s and Mignon’s, of course, had to be 
sent by mail. 

Then Alys and Do-re returned to Happy- 
land, and planned all sorts of good times 
for the picnic; and a little later, when 
Mrs. Von Mayer returned from her calls, 
she joined them and helped also. 

Do-re stayed to dinner that evening, and 
afterward, because there was a thunder 
shower, he went up-stairs to the Castle of 
Sunshine and played with Alys and Wag- 
gles. 

Do-re,” said Alys, when an hour had 
slipped away, you haven’t told me a 
story for a long time. Won’t you please 
tell me one right off the reel? ” 

I’m afraid I’m neglecting the reel for 
Jingle Jack, of late.” 

Oh! I’ll tell you what to do. Do-re! 
Tell me a story that is a jingle. I’d love 
to hear a nice jingle story, like the Funny 
Goats that you told me about when I 


134 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

was Alys-all-alone. Don’t you remem- 
ber? ” 

Ob, yes, I remember, Alys. Would you 
like to hear some more about the goats? ” 
I’d rather hear a story about a cat. 
Can’t you tell me one? ” 

Of course I can:— 

Sir Thomas Cat, he lived in state 
In a Castle by the sea; 

He owned a prosperous catnip farm; 

Was rich as rich could be. 

He had a motor-car, a boat, 

And dress-suits by the score; 

His valet was a Maltese count; 

He’d twenty chefs and more. 

For years Sir Thomas lived unwed, 

And lonely grew his life; 

Until, at last, he made a vow 
That he would take a wife. 

He thought of many tabbies fair; 

But all were proud and haughty. 

He knew a sight of kittens bright; 

But they were rude and naughty. 

‘ I’ll never wed a stuck-up cat, 

Nor yet a saucy kitten; 

I dare not ask a handsome doll. 

She might give me the mitten.’ 


A JINGLE STORY 


135 


Now, be it known, Sir Thomas Cat 
Had always favored dolls; 

He liked their airs and harmless stares. 

Their smiles and fol-de-rols. 

And, right beside his catnip farm, 

A broken doll-house stood; 

It once had windows made of glass. 

And doors carved out of wood. 

Sir Thomas often passed this house, 

And wondered who lived in it; 

One day he sat upon the steps, — 

He thought he’d rest a minute. 

Just then the sweetest voice inside 
Sang: — ‘ My doll heart is weary. 

It longs for smiles and play-time wiles; 

This prison house is dreary.’ 

Sir Thomas stroked his whiskers long; 

^ I’ll hear no more,’ he said. 

* I’ll know who sings those pretty things — ' 
Then he poked in his head. 

“ There, on the broken doll-house floor, 

A ragged doll was lying; 

Its leg was off — it had a cough. 

And could not speak for crying. 

** Sir Thomas’ gallant heart was touched; 

^ Fair doll, why dost thou pine? 

I’ll take thee from this wretched place 
Say, doll, wilt thou be mine? ’ 


136 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


‘ I weep, Sir Thomas, at thy words; 
Ah! would that I could wed! 

But, know, my cruel mistress, she 
Would surely shake me dead! * 

care not for thy mistress, hard. 
Now, listen, doll! I love thee! 

I swear it by my father’s name, 

And by the stars above me. 

^ Arise, fair doll; take up thy leg; 

I’ll have a surgeon tend it; 

I’ll marry thee at once, and then 
A first-class doctor’ll mend it.’ 

“ The doll arose, and dried her tears; 
Her name was lovely Molly; 

Sir Thomas calmed her maiden fears, 
And begged her to be jolly. 

” She leaned upon his catly paw; 

They left that house forever; 

And they were wed, so it is said, 

And none their love could sever. 

** They lived in peace and harmony, 
She made a happy home. 

So happy that Sir Thomas Cat, 

He never cared to roam. 

And if, when you’re in bed, you hear 
A noise out in the dark, 

It’s Sir Thomas and his lovely bride 
Out driving in the park.” 


A JINGLE STORY 


137 


Is that all, Do-re? ’’ 

Had a little awl— stuck it in the wall— 
that’s all! ” 

‘‘ Tell me another, please, about a pic- 
nic.” 

I’m afraid the sandman is here,” said 
her father, coming into the room. Alys’s 
blue eyes were almost closed as her father 
took her in his arms and carried her out 
of the Castle of Sunshine, and the last 
words Do-re heard were:— 

Lovely — picnic — next — Tuesday 
—afternoon.” 


CHAPTER Xn 

A PICNIC IN HAPPYLAND 

ON’T little girls wear their very 
I 1 best dresses when they go to a 
picnic? ” asked Alys on Tuesday 
afternoon, when her mother was putting on 
the child’s gingham dress. 

No, indeed, Alys! A tramp and a 
frolic in the woods would ruin a pretty 
dress.” 

Well, mother, Norma Norris said that 
she was going to wear her best white dress, 
and blue sash and blue hair ribbons, to my 
picnic.” 

Then I’m sorry for Norma. The briers 
will tear a thin dress, and I’m afraid she’ll 
get grass stains on it.” 

That’s what Jane told her; but she 
said she didn’t care. Norma is always talk- 
ing about her clothes, and things, mother, 

138 


A PICNIC IN HAPPYLAND 139 

and one day she wouldn’t play with Jane 
because Jane wore an old dress.” 

What a pity, Alys, that a pretty little 
girl like Norma could be rude. It is very 
unkind to talk about another little girl’s 
clothes. Jane’s dress is old, but it’s whole 
and clean. It’s a very sensible dress for 
her; but, even if it were not, you must re- 
member that dear little Jane has no mother, 
and old Mazie does the very best that she 
can. Alys, I hope that you will never do 
or say anything to any little girl that you 
would not like said or done to yourself.” 

“ I know what you mean, mother; but 
I love Jane, she’s a dear; and I love old 
Mazie, too, ’cause she’s seen such wonder- 
ful things.” 

u There! ” said mother; now you’re all 
dressed— And, Alys, try not to think about 
the clothes a child wears. Clothes do not 
make a little girl desirable; an honest, 
pleasant, well-behaved little girl is the 
kind of girl one wants. The clothes do not 
count at all, Alys; for some of the best 
men and women that the world has known 
were very poor and wore the plainest kind 


140 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

of clothes. That looks like Norma coming 
now.” 

‘‘It is,” cried Alys; “ she’s coming 
down the street with Mary.” 

“ Then you must go down and meet her, 
Alys, for Norma is your first guest to ar- 
rive.” 

Alys fiew down-stairs and greeted her 
little friend on the piazza. Norma was a 
pretty child; but, alas! conscious of it, and 
of everything that she had on. Dressed in 
a beautifully embroidered white dress, and 
wearing white shoes and stockings, Norma 
looked as if she were ready for a dance on 
a polished fioor, rather than for an outing 
in the woods. But Alys, remembering her 
mother’s words, did not make any remark 
about the little girl’s clothes. 

While Mrs. Von Mayer was welcoming 
Norma, Barbara and Bertha, in stout ging- 
ham rompers, toddled up to the gate and, 
behind them, a bevy of boys and girls. 
Each child, carrying a basket of lunch, 
followed Alys into Happyland. WTien the 
baskets were set down in a shady place the 
children sat around to wait for Do-re. 


A PICNIC IN HAPPYLAND 141 

‘‘ Hurray for ithe-cream! ” shouted the 
twins, as Nora appeared at the door, carry- 
ing a great freezer of ice-cream. 

I hope Do-re comes soon,’’ said Alys, 

He promised to take an early train.” 

Well, here’s somebody coming,” said 
Mrs. Von Mayer, as a great touring car 
stopped at the house. 

It’s Dorothy Clover from Brierwood, 
and her cousin Mignon,” cried Alys. 

Dorothy and Mignon were led into Hap- 
pyland, and introduced to all the boys and 
girls there. Suddenly, while everybody 
was talking, there was a peculiar whistle 
over in the woods, and the next minute 
Do-re walked into their midst. 

Hooray for Do-re! ” cried Alys. 

Hooray! Hooray! ” echoed everybody. 

Now, children,” said Do-re, dropping 
into a seat on the rustic bench, before we 
start out on our picnic, I have a surprise 
for you.” 

''A surprise! Oh! Goody!” cried a 
dozen voices. 

Hidden away in these woods, outside 
of Happyland, is a treasure, or rather two 


142 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

treasures, for the boy and girl who can find 
them.’^ 

A treasure? What do you mean, 
Do-re? ” asked Jane Lawrie. 

Well, I’ll tell you. You’ve all heard 
of Captain Kidd’s treasure, haven’t you? ” 
No, thir,” lisped the twins in chorus. 

^^Well, children. Captain Kidd was a 
bold, bad pirate who sailed the seas long, 
long ago, and he collected a great fortune 
in money and silver and gold and jewels. 
He probably had heaps of pennies, and 
bushels of nickels, and coal-hods full of 
dimes, and we think he put it all in a great 
chest and dug a deep hole, nobody knows 
where, and buried that chest. Now, chil- 
dren, make believe I’m Captain Kidd! ” 
Cap’ain Thid! Cap’ain Thid! ” roared 
the twins. 

But you said Captain Kidd was a bad 
pirate,” observed Alys. 

Yes, he was, Alys.” 

But you’re not bad. Do-re! ” 

Indeed, I’m trying very hard to be 
decent,” declared Do-re, so earnestly that 
Mrs. Von Mayer laughed heartily. 


A PICNIC IN HAPPYLAND 143 

Let’s play that I’m Captain Ehdd,” 
continued Do-re. Let’s pretend that I’ve 
buried a chest full of treasures in this 
wood, and that all you girls and boys are 
going to hunt for it. Come, now, who’s 
ready to start? ” 

I am— and I— and I— and I! ” shouted 
the eager voices. 

That’s good,” said Do-re. Ajid now 
I’m going to help you a little in this big 
surprise. I must tell you that, before I 
started to hide the treasure, I fiUed my 
pocket with beans, and I dropped a few 
here and there to give you a clew, as it 
were. Now, children, as you go along in 
search of the treasure, you must look sharp 
for beans, for, whenever you see them, 
you’ll know that you are on the right path. 
Follow the beans, and you’ll find the prizes 
that I have hidden away for some lucky 
boy and girl.” 

This explanation was greeted with a 
perfect storm of approval. 

The children then took up their baskets, 
and all started for the woods and the hid- 
den treasures. Do-re followed, and gave a 


144 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


word of encouragement now and then to 
those who were cold/’ 

In a short time the little party had di- 
vided itself into groups, and bright eyes 
were looking eagerly for a glimpse of the 
beans that would lead them to the treasure. 
Suddenly Jane Lawrie’s happy laughter 
broke the silence of the little party. 

I see some beans at last,” she cried. 

And I see some beans,” declared Doro- 
thy Clover. 

There was a stampede in Jane’s direc- 
tion; but no more beans could be found, so 
the children took up a new trail. In and 
out, right and left, forward and backward, 
plodded the little band of picnickers in 
search of the present. 

Sometimes a boy would call out that he 
was on the right track at last; but, more 
often, he would have to admit that the trail 
was lost and he must look in a new place. 
Norma Norris was so excited over the sight 
of a few beans under a tree, that she forgot 
her white dress and white stockings, and 
knelt on the soft moss to peer on the ground 
for a possible glimpse of the hidden treas- 


A PICNIC IN HAPPYLAND 145 

ure, and, when she arose, there were two 
green stains on her dress. 

Several times the fat little twins thought 
they discovered a bean and, in their efforts 
to see who would pounce on it first, they 
fell over each other and rolled on the 
ground like two balls, and though, at first, 
their mishap was met with rare good na- 
ture, there came a time when those dear, 
darling, delightful twins lost all patience 
with each other, and with a harmless old 
oak tree. 

It happened like this. Bertha, who was 
just three pounds heavier than Barbara, 
spied a bean under the oak tree. 

I thee a bean! ” lisped Bertha. 

No, I thee that bean, that ith my 
bean! cried Barbara. 

Then, of course, they both pounced on 
that little bean at the same time, and the 
result was that they bumped their noses, 
and scraped their chins, on the bark of the 
tree. For a minute there was a dismal 
howl, then Bertha raised her fat little fist 
and struck that poor old tree once, twice, 
three times; and Barbara took both little 


146 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

fists, and both feet, and rained blows and 
kicks right on the bark till she was tired. 

Bad old tree,’’ roared Bertha. 

Bad, bad tree,” screamed Barbara. 

What’s thisf ” cried Do-re, who looked 
at those twins as if he could not believe the 
evidence of his senses. ‘‘Is it possible 
that you would punish that poor old tree? ” 

“ Eth I would! Bad tree! ” cried Ber- 
tha. 

“ Bad! Bad! ” declared Barbara. 

I think that Do-re was just going to tell 
those twins how foolish it was to punish 
that tree. I have a feeling that, in his own 
fine way, he would have shown those pre- 
cious twins how those revengeful feelings 
must be overcome; but, at this point, there 
was a shout behind a bush, and the search- 
ers ran there as fast as they could. 

“I’ve found the treasure! ” cried Jane 
Lawrie. 

It was true! Wise little Jane had been 
using her eyes to good advantage. She had 
followed the clue of a curved line of beans 
that had led her at last behind a thick 
bush, where she dropped on her knees and 


A PICNIC IN HAPPYLAND 147 

searched underneath until all at once she 
beheld a small white box, tied with blue 
ribbon. 

It’s mine— it’s mine! ” cried the child 
over and over. 

They all surrounded the lucky little girl, 
as she held the box proudly in her hand. 

Grood for you, Jane! ” said Do-re. 

Open the box and show the present.” 

Smiling happily, Jane, with eager fin- 
gers, untied the blue ribbon. She opened 
the box lined with white satin, and found 
a dear little gold bracelet. 

My! What a beauty! ” cried Jane. 

Oh! What a lovely present! ” ex- 
claimed Alys, and Dorothy, and a dozen 
voices all at once. 

Jane slipped the bracelet on her wrist, to 
find that it fitted perfectly; and she held 
up her arm that all might see and admire 
the treasure. But, after awhile, careful 
Jane took off the pretty gift, and put it 
back in the box to keep it safely till she 
went home. 

Now,” said Do-re, we’ve done some 
good work. We’ve found the girl’s pres- 


148 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

ent; but how about the boy’s? Don’t for- 
get that there’s another treasure hidden in 
these woods, and it’s so very big that I am 
surprised some of you lively boys have not 
found it.” 

Once more the picnickers started off 
with a shout, though Do-re had to stop and 
carry the twins, one under .each arm, for 
they had been running so fast that they 
had fallen flat on their faces, and then had 
stood and danced with rage and disap- 
pointment. 

The little party had not gone very far 
when a lad, named Freddy Smith, let out a 
war-whoop, and then stood on his head for 
joy, for there was the treasure, right before 
his eyes. He had come upon a great brown 
box behind the stump of a tree. 

Freddy placed the box on the stump, and 
begged Do-re to open it at once. 

I’ll open it, my boy,” said Do-re; but, 
first, let’s have a guessing game. Freddy, 
what do you guess is in that box? ” 

I guess a gun,” answered Freddy. 

I guess a doll,” shouted Mignon. 

I guess a picture book,” said Alys. 


A PICNIC IN HAPPYLAND 149 

I guess a puzzle,’^ said Norma. 

I geth ithe-cream/’ lisped Bertha. 

I geth thum candy,” lisped Barbara. 

I guess a live rabbit,” cried Dor- 
othy. 

I guess a monkey,” shouted Jane. 

Then somebody guessed a singing top, a 
train of cars, a Teddy bear, a doll’s ham- 
mock, and a dozen other things. 

All wrong, every one of you,” said 
Do-re. I’m afraid I’ll have to tell you. 
Now just put on your thinking caps. It 
is something big, made of paper, and boys 
like it— at least I did.” 

I know,” cried Freddy, perhaps it’s 
a kite.” 

That’s just what it is, Freddy.” 

Opening the box. Do-re took out a great 
kite made of pink and white paper, and 
Freddy was so pleased that he clapped his 
hands. The wood was not a very good 
place to fly a kite, however, so Freddy put 
his treasure back in the box, and decided 
to leave it in there until some day when 
there was a good, brisk wind. 

When both treasures were found, the 


150 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


merry picnickers took up their lunch bas- 
kets, and continued on their way, until they 
reached a lovely pine grove. This was a 
good place to stop and have dinner. Every- 
body helped, and there was no end of fun 
getting things ready. 

A table-cloth was spread on the carpet of 
pine needles, and the lunch baskets were 
emptied. Of course there was a mishap 
now and then— that goes without saying at 
a picnic, especially if there are twins pres- 
ent. 

Bertha, I am sorry to say, forgot, and 
walked right across the dinner table; and 
Barbara rolled on a bottle of milk, and then 
sat on some salad! But, on the whole, 
everything went off beautifully. 

The happy children sat on the carpet of 
pine needles and, although they were only 
little folks, they seemed to appreciate the 
beauty of their surroundings. Alys’s 
mother took a deep breath of the delicious 
pine-scented air, and said:— 

Isn’t it lovely to have dinner under 
the pines! ” 

Oh! such appetites as those hungry pic- 


A PICNIC IN HAPPYLAND 151 

nickers had! If I only could tell you the 
quantity of sandwiches, of bread and but- 
ter, and slices of chicken that disappeared; 
of the mugs of milk that refreshed thirsty 
lips; of Nora’s delicious tarts, piled high 
in flakey abundance, that fairly melted 
away before that dinner was over. 

In the midst of the repast, Alys asked 
Do-re to unwind the reel. 

The reel? ” repeated a dozen voices. 

What does that mean? ” 

It means,” said Alys, that Do-re has 
a little reel in his head, with lovely stories 
and jingles wound all around it. When he 
wants to tell a story, or a jingle, he just 
unwinds the reel.” 

Oh, please unwind it now,” said Doro- 
thy, and Do-re unwound the following:— 

When all the house is still as a mouse, 

The toys do funny things; 

The dolls, they dance; the horses prance; 

The dear, stuffed Birdie sings. 

“ Then Jack-in-the-box puts on his socks. 

The rooster starts a riot. 

The soldiers drill and fight until 
The toy dog barks for quiet. 


152 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


“ The top and drum begin to hum, 

And all the guns go popping, 

Till paper dolls, in fol-de-rols. 

Start out to do their shopping. 

“ You ought to see the Teddy bears 
Chase monkeys-on-a-stick. 

While Easter eggs, with painted legs. 

Slide ’way across a brick. 

They have their joys, deliriops toys! 

You never saw such fun; 

But, some dark night, I’ll strike a light. 

And catch them, every one.” 

Tell US another, please,’’ said Freddy, 
and Do-re shut his eyes, and made a funny 
face, as he told the following:— 

Billy and Bobby, one summer day, 

Climbed over the fence to run away. 

Billy was learned, and Bobby was lucky. 

And both little lads were as naughty as plucky. 

^ Let’s go,’ Billy said, ^ to scalp Indians red; 

We’ll fight fifty hundred, and then go to bed. 

* We’ll jump on our horses, and gallop away 
And save a fair Princess the very same day. 

‘ We’ll kill a few giants, take ten bags of gold. 

And live in the woods to grow fearless and bold.’ 


A PICNIC IN HAPPYLAND 153 

“ Just then lucky Bobby looked down on the ground, 
And saw a good nickel, all shining and round. 

Goody, good! ^ cried out Bobby, all smiling and 
gay, 

^ Let^s play it’s a gold mine — we won’t run away! 

‘ We’ll buy a few guns, and some pistols and knives, 
And we will be hunters the rest of our lives. 

But hunters get hungry; this nickel is handy; 

So first we will buy us five cents’ worth of candy.’ ” 

Now tell another,” cried the audience. 
Do-re looked at his watch. 

Not to-day, children,” said Alys’s 
mother; weVe all had a good rest and a 
good lunch, so I think we had better start 
back for Happy land.” 

Let’s go home by a new road,” said 
Do-re, a plan that pleased everybody very 
much. 

After cleaning things up, they left the 
pretty bower in the pine grove, and started 
on the walk homeward. Jane Lawrie’s per- 
formance, when she warbled and trilled and 
imitated the birds, was a surprise and a de- 
light to the other children. As the merry 
picnickers went along the new road they 


154 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

saw smoke curling up a short distance 
ahead. 

I think some one else is in the woods/’ 
said Alys. ‘‘ I wonder who it can be.” 

Let’s creep along easy behind the 
bushes,” said Jane, and see who it is.” 

I’ll tell you what we’ll do,” said 
Freddy Smith. Let’s make believe we 
are real Indians, and prowl along as still as 
a rock.” 

A good idea, Freddy,” declared Do-re. 

I’ll be the big chief, and go first; you 
children go single file, and follow me.” 

Do-re went through a kind of war-dance, 
and then crept along cautiously, all the 
little Indians tiptoeing after him. It was 
great fun; but, all at once, the big chief put 
up his hands and stood very still, while all 
the children gathered around him to see a 
strange sight. A little way ahead, through 
an opening in the trees, our picnickers be- 
held a family of gypsies, taking their ease 
as comfortable as possible. An old wagon, 
with three black horses tied in the rear, 
stood near a large tent; some old quilts 
were scattered on the ground; and the 


A PICNIC IN HAPPYLAND 155 

family washing hung around on the bushes. 
The smoke came from a fire, partly out, 
and, near it, stretched at full length, was 
a dark-skinned man, with an old felt hat 
pulled over his eyes. Two plump gypsy 
women, nursing babies, were sitting on the 
ground beside him, chatting together. 

Suddenly a little gypsy lad ran from be- 
hind the tent, and came up to the picnick- 
ers. 

The children regarded the stranger with 
silent curiosity; but Do-re spoke kindly to 
him, and gave him a box of lunch. He 
must have been hungry, for he sat right 
down where he was, and ate up the con- 
tents of that box as fast as he could, while 
the children continued on their way. At 
last they came within sight of the camp- 
house and Happyland, and a shout went up 
when they gained its pleasant shelter. In 
a short time Nora had the ice-cream all 
ready for them, and it tasted good after 
their hot tramp through the woods. Then 
games were played, and songs were sung, 
and jingles rung, until it was time to go 
home. The merry picnic was over at last. 


156 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

and everybody was happy; but one little 
girl, in a white dress and white shoes and 
stockings, looked as if the fairies had 
thrown moss and mud balls all over her, in 
mockery of such picnic finery. 


CHAPTER Xni 


FAMILY CARES 

A LYS and Jane were playing with 
their dolls in Happyland, when Nora 
came to the back door, and called 

them. 

My, but you’re the lucky little girls,” 
said the maid, with a broad smile. 

What is it, Nora, please? ” asked Alys, 
jumping over the hedge, followed by Jane. 

“ Your mother’ll tell you, darlin’. Just 
run into the house and hear the good 
news.” 

Is it a surprise, Nora? ” 

It is, darlin’; a fine surprise for two 
little girls.” 

Oh! Is it for Jane, too? ” 

It’s for Jane, too; for Jane is such a 
good little girl.” 

Oh, goody! Come, Jane dear; come 
into the house, and hear about the lovely 
157 


158 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

surprise/’ and the children rushed past 
Nora, who stood smiling in the doorway. 

Mother dear,” cried Alys, bounding into 
the room, what is the lovely surprise'? ” 

Why, my dear, the surprise, if you 
want to call it so, is in a letter from Doro- 
thy Clover that has just come. I’ll read it 
for you and Jane:— 

^^^Dear Alys: — 

‘ Mignon and I have not forgotten the 
perfectly beautiful time we had at your 
picnic. We told mother and father and 
dear grandmother all about it. They were 
very much interested and some time we 
are going to have a jolly picnic, too. 

^ It seems a long time since you have 
been to Brierwood. 

^ I wish that you would come to see us 
very soon. If your mother is willing, Mig- 
non and I will call for you and Jane this 
afternoon, and take you over to Brierwood 
to play. 

^ We would like to have Jane Lawrie 
come very much, and ask her to please be 
sure and bring Lady Arabella. 


FAMILY CARES 


159 


^ Mother wants to see that strange doll 
very much. 

^ With love, 

' Dorothy Clover.’ ” 

Oh, goody! ” cried Alys. May we go, 
mother*? ” 

Yes, you may go, Alys. It is very kind 
of Dorothy to invite you. Of course Jane 
will have to ask old Mazie.” 

Let’s go and ask her now, Jane,” said 
Alys, with prompt decision. ‘‘ Let’s not 
wait one minute.” 

Not a minute,” returned Jane. ‘‘ We’ll 
run all the way.” 

Then down the stairs flew the children, 
and hurried out of the house, and over the 
hedge. They stopped at Happyland a mo- 
ment to get Arabella— Jane would not trust 
Arabella alone— she might run away. 

Waggles barked joyously, and followed 
the girls every step of the way. In a short 
time they came in sight of the house, and 
their feet fairly flew over the path to reach 
it. 

Auld Mazie was sewing in the porch 


160 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

when the children came up, quite breath- 
less, and so excited that they could not say 
a word. 

It was Jane who first recovered breath 
enough to tell auld Mazie the good news, 
and ask permission to go to Brierwood. 

Aye! Ye may go, Jane; but look out 
for yerself, and be a guid lass, an’ don’t 
forget your manners. Ye maun forget to 
say ‘ yes, ma’am ’ and ^ no, ma’am ’ an’ 
^ thank ye, ma’am ’—ye’ll no forget, 
Jane'? ” 

I’ll not forget, Mazie, and oh! Mazie, 
Dorothy’s mother, a beautiful lady, wants 
to see my Arabella.” 

What’s that ye say, lass? ” 

I said that Mrs. Clover, a very rich 
lady who lives in Brierwood, wants to see 
my doll, so I’ll have to take Arabella.” 

Aye, take her along wi’ ye; but look 
sharp, Jane, or that same Arabella might 
have a fancy for that place— she’ll be 
runnin’ awa’, the jade! ” 

‘‘ Oh, we’ll watch her, Mazie,” declared 
Alys. We won’t let her run away, and 
just wait till we tell Dorothy and Mignon 


FAMILY CARES 


161 


about her; won’t they be surprised! They 
never knew a doll that gets alive at 
night.” 

Aye, it’s no many folk that do,” ob- 
served old Mazie, nodding her head wisely. 

Now, children, rin away an’ play.” 

When the little girls reached Happyland 
they could talk of nothing but the coming 
visit to Brierwood. ‘‘ And only think,” 
cried Jane, joyously, that Arabella is go- 
ing, too! ” 

I hope she won’t get alive and run 
away,” said Alys. 

Don’t shake her, Jane; I think she’s 
feeling sorry; give her to me.” 

No, let me hold her, Alys. You dear, 
darling Arabella, nobody’s ever going to 
hurt you, and you’re going away this after- 
noon to visit a beautiful, rich, little girl in 
Brierwood.” 

Oh! Jane! I was just thinking Ara- 
bella can never go to Brierwood with those 
clothes! ” 

Why, what’s the matter with her 
clothes, Alys? ” 

‘‘ They’re dreadfully soiled, Jane. Did 


162 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

you ever see such dirty skirts in all your 
life?— and look at her legs! Oh! Jane, I’m 
afraid her legs will never do.” 

Must you have clean legs to go to 
Brierwood? ” asked Jane, clasping the rag 
doll closer to her childish heart. 

Yes, you must, Jane! You see, Brier- 
wood is just the very sweetest, cleanest 
place that you ever saw in all your life. 
There isn’t one speck of dirt there, not one 
little teeny, weeny speck.” 

Jane heard this in silence, but her eyes 
looked suspiciously moist. 

I like Arabella,” Alys went on; ‘‘I 
think she’s the dearest, queerest doll in the 
world; but, oh! Jane dear, if she were only 
clean! ” 

Well, she can’t help getting her skirts 
dusty,” said Jane, and, if you came all 
the way from Scotland, I guess you 
wouldn’t have very white legs.” 

No, I suppose I wouldn’t,” said Alys, 
with a sigh. Suddenly her face lit up. 

Oh! I’ve thought of a splendid plan, 
Jane! Let’s go and ask Nora to clean 
Arabella! ” 


FAMILY CARES 163 

We could clean her ourselves if we had 
soap and water,” said Jane. 

‘‘ Of course we could,” cried Alys. 

Come with me, and I’ll get some water 
from Nora, and we’ll make Arabella as 
white as snow.” 

Nora was busy that day, so very busy 
that she never raised her eyes as the two 
little girls walked into the kitchen. 

‘‘ Nora, dear,” began Alys, with marvel- 
lous tact, would you please look at the 
Lady Arabella*? ” 

‘‘ Faith, I would,” flashed Nora, without 
even a glance at her visitors, for ‘ a cat 
can look at a king.’ ” 

Well, Nora, why don’t you look? 
Please look now — she’s here.” 

Glory be! ” cried Nora, starting back 
in mock alarm. Is it the Lady Arabella 
hersel’ that I see before me? ” 

It is, Nora.” 

Well then, Alys, ’tis sorry I am to say 
that the lady looks loike she’d seen betther 
days.” 

^^Nora,” said Alys, impressively, the 
Lady Arabella came from Scotland! ” 


164 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

Aimy wan with half an eye could see 
that, Alys.’’ 

But, Nora, please look at her legs.” 

“ ’Tis only her legs I’m seein’.” 

Would you call Lady Arabella’s legs 
white, Noral ” 

I wouldn’t be so bowld as to say that, 
Alys; but acoorse they may be white f’r 
that kind of a lady— d’ye mind.” 

But, Nora, Arabella’s legs are not 
white at all; they should be white, but 
they’re most black; and, Nora, please look 
at Arabella’s clothes, aren’t they dread- 
ful? ” 

She must a’ had a rough passage 
owver. Maybe they was short-handed on 
the ship, and they made Arabella shovel the 
coal.” 

‘‘Perhaps that’s just what happened,” 
cried Alys. “ Now, Nora, do you think the 
Lady Arabella could go to Brierwood this 
afternoon with those black legs and soiled 
clothes? ” 

“ Niver! Niver! ” 

“Well then, Nora dear, won’t you please 
give us some soap and water, and we’ll 


FAMILY CARES 


165 


wash her clothes and hang them up to 
dry/' 

Oh! Alys, I’m that busy! I haven’t 
time to take a square look at annything.” 

But, Nora dear, it will only take one 
little minute! Oh! please give us a little 
soap and water— you wouldn’t have Ara- 
bella go over to beautiful Brierwood with 
black legs, would you, Nora? ” 

Alys, Alys, you’re a coaxerl ” 

Hurry please, Nora dear^— soap and 
water! ” 

Well, thin, there’s a big pan o’ warm 
wather, an’ there’s some soap,” said Nora, 
as she placed them on the back steps. 

Now go an’ give the Lady Arabella what 
she niver had since she was made— a 
wash! ” 

But, Nora dear, her clothes are all 
sewed on. Old Mazie had to sew them on, 
you know, because Arabella went off in a 
fish chariot one night down to the sea; 
won’t you please get scissors and rip them 
all off? ” 

What! rip off that bushel o’ rags? I 
will not, Alys. IVe me worrk to do— yer 


166 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

father is bringin’ home some o’ thim long- 
haired moosichens to dinner, an’ me head 
is bustin’ wid all I’ve got to do.” 

Oh! Nora, please! ” 

I won’t.” 

Please, dear Nora! Just rip off her 
clothes, and I’ll never, never bother you 
again. I love you, Nora, and I’d love to 
make Arabella clean, because Mrs. Clover 
would love to see a doll that is alive at 
night.” 

She would! I wonder would she like to 
see a girl that’s dead at night.” 

Oh! Nora, there’s the scissors hanging 
near the window! Now, Nora dear, it’s 
just as e-easy to rip a lady up the back.” 

Och! Alys; but ye’re wan turrible 
coaxer! ” cried Nora, with a peal of laugh- 
ter. Grive me that doll! If coaxin’ could 
free Ireland, an’ yersel’ was the coaxer, 
there ’d be nary a Cork man in Amer- 
ica.” 

Nora, could a Cork man float? ” 

‘‘He could— anny thing but himseP— ; 
an’ now ther’s Lady Arabella’s skirts all 
off — • ’tis a wonder to me they don’t sew 





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ARABELLA SAT IN THE BACK YARD AND STARED AT THEM 









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FAMILY CARES 167 

up the children over there in Scotland to 
save time.’’ 

Oh! Thank you, Nora,” said Alys, 
beaming with pleasure, as she took the 
great doll in one hand and all her clothes 
in the other. 

Then the two little girls hurried out to 
the back steps, and went to work. They 
put Arabella’s clothes in the pan of water, 
and then proceeded to scrub vigorously. 
When Nora passed on her way to the yard, 
she, too, stopped and did some rubbing. At 
last it was decided that the skirts were 
clean enough. Then the two little mothers 
put up a line, and hung up the clothes to 
dry, and all the time Arabella sat in the 
back yard and stared at them. 

Now her clothes are washed,” declared 
Alys, ‘‘ the next thing to do is to wash 
her.” 

Do you mean to put Arabella right in 
the tub? ” 

^‘Yes,” returned Alys. ‘‘In the bath 
tub; that’s the only way to get the dirt 
out.” 

“ Will it hurt her, Alys? ” 


168 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


Of course not, Jane. Does it hurt you 
to have your face washed? 

Yes, it does; I just hate to have my 
face washed.” 

Jane’s statement, though refreshing in 
it’s honesty, was, nevertheless, a fact to 
puzzle a wiser head than that of little Alys. 

I’m sure it won’t hurt her a hit,” she 
said, after a pause. “We’ll go up-stairs, 
and put her right in the bath tub, and give 
her a lovely bath.” 

J ane picked up the rag doll somewhat re- 
luctantly, and followed Alys into the house, 
and, oh! joy, mother met them at the head 
of the stairs, and was delighted to help 
them give Arabella a bath. 

The great doll’s face, and neck, and arms, 
and legs were gone over in a way that made 
the dirt disappear as if by magic. Mother 
rubbed for five minutes without stopping, 
and then dipped Arabella half a dozen times 
in clean water. 

“ There! ” said mother, holding up the 
doll; “ at last I think Arabella is clean.” 

The children took the dripping doll be- 
tween them, and hurried down-stairs. 


FAMILY CARES 


169 


Give her to me/’ said Nora, who met 
them at the foot of the stairs. My, she 
looks white! That bath would last a Scotch 
doll for eternity.” 

What are you going to do with her, 
Nora? ” asked the children in one breath. 

I’m going to hang her up to dry,’^ 

Goody! ” cried Alys. She’ll be a 
beauty. And, Nora, wouldn’t it be funny,” 
said Jane, as they followed the maid into 
the yard, if people were hung up to 
dry! ” 

Fa’th some people are dry enough with- 
out e’en a bangin’,” laughed Nora. 

When Nora had pinned Arabella, and 
even tied her, to the line, Alys and Jane 
went into Happyland to talk things over 
and look after the other dolls. 

Lady Arabella never dried until after 
Jane had gone home to dinner. 

It was Alys who discovered at last that 
the great rag doll was really dry. Then 
Nora ironed all her skirts, and took Ara- 
bella down, and dressed her. 

Alys thought Jane’s doll looked very 
well, indeed, and, when the little Scotch 


170 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

girl came over to Happyland in the after- 
noon, both children sat on the piazza with 
their dolls to wait for Dorothy Clover. 

They did not have long to wait, for they 
were hardly seated when the big touring 
car turned into the street. 

“ Oh, goody! goody! ” cried Alys, jump- 
ing to her feet, while Jane could not con- 
ceal her joy and warbled like a happy little 
bird. 

Then Alys, and her mother, and Jane 
stepped into the automobile and started 
for beautiful Brierwood. 


CHAPTER XIV 

A VISIT TO BRIERWOOD 

T he big touring car sped on its way, 
through the pretty country roads 
that skirted Brightwood, until at 
last it turned into the great gateway at 
the entrance to Brierwood. 

When they reached the house, Mrs. 
Clover and the children came out to meet 
them, and gave them a hearty welcome. 
Then Jane and her wonderful doll, Ara- 
bella, were introduced, and Alys told Mrs. 
Clover some of that dolPs strange adven- 
tures. Needless to say that the lady of 
Brierwood was very much amused at the 
dolPs wild escapades, and Dorothy and 
Mignon were so excited that they begged 
Jane, then and there, to allow Arabella to 
stay for a few days at Brierwood. 

For she might get alive over here,’’ 
said Dorothy, and I never, never knew a 

171 


172 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


doll that could get alive at night when folks 
were asleep in bed/’ 

Jane Lawrie agreed to leave Arabella at 
Brierwood for a three days’ visit, and then, 
while the two mothers of our little girls 
seated themselves on the wide veranda to 
chat, the little girls, themselves, started in 
to have a royal good time. 

Jane Lawrie thought that Dorothy 
Clover was one of the sweetest little girls 
that she had ever seen. Dressed in a 
dainty white frock, with knots of blue 
ribbon all over it that matched the blue of 
her eyes, Dorothy was certainly a very 
winsome little maid. 

Mignon was lovely, too, in a pretty 
pink linen, with great pink bows on her 
black hair. 

First of all,” said Mrs. Clover, you 
might take Alys and Jane and show them 
your pets.” 

Mignon asked Jane if Arabella would 
like to come, too, and Jane declared that 
the doll ‘‘ just loved pets.” 

Then the little visitors went with Doro- 
thy and Mignon down a long plank walk 


A VISIT TO BRIERWOOD 173 

which led to the barn-yard. There were 
ever so many turkeys, and several pea- 
cocks strutting around, showing their beau- 
tiful feathers. One, larger and handsomer 
than all the rest, turned deliberately and 
spread his great tail as much as to say, 
see how gorgeous I am.’^ 

That one is King William,’’ said Mig- 
non. Uncle John got him first of all.” 

He is very handsome,” said Jane; 
but I think he’s very vain.” 

All peacocks are vain,” said Dorothy; 
they like to show off their fine feathers.” 

And sometimes,” said Mignon, ‘‘ peo- 
ple pull out their feathers, and the feathers 
of other pretty birds, to trim their hats; 
but we would not do that— Dorothy and 
I are never going to wear any in our hats 
when we are big.” 

Why? ” asked Jane and Alys in one 
breath. 

Because we belong to the ‘ Band of 
Mercy,’ — I’ll show you our badges some 
time. We are never going to wear quills 
and wings and things because we don’t 
want the pretty birds slaughtered.” 


174 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

My father says,” observed Dorothy, 

that it is wicked and cruel and stupid to 
kill the birds. The birds are our friends. 
They not only make the world more beau- 
tiful, but they make it a good place in 
which to live, for they kill millions and 
millions of insects that would otherwise 
destroy the farmers’ crops.” 

‘‘ I never thought of that,” said Alys. 

“ Oh, they do lots of good, the dear birds 
do,” observed Mignon. 

Now,” said Dorothy, when the chih 
dren had admired the peacocks to their 
hearts’ content, “I’ll show you my rab- 
bits.” 

Jane and Alys were delighted with the 
lively bunnies, especially if they came to 
Dorothy when she called them. After 
playing with the rabbits, they saw a dear 
little bossy calf that put a cold nose in 
Jane’s hand, and looked at everybody 
with great soft eyes. 

Alys could not tear herself away from 
the calf and expressed a wish that they had 
one in Happyland. 

“We love our bossy,” said Dorothy, 


A VISIT TO BRIERWOOD 


175 


and she is growing larger and stronger 
every day. At first she was only a baby 
calf, and could hardly stand on her 
feet.’’ 

Then there was a lamb that came frisk- 
ing up to the children in the funniest way, 
and stood close to Mignon. 

You’ll have to excuse lammie to-day,” 
said the little girl, because he looks so 
very dirty. He needs a good bath, and 
Peter will wash him by and by.” 

‘‘ Arabella was very dirty, too,” said 
Alys; ‘‘ but we washed her and hung her 
up to dry.” 

Oh! I think she’s just the dearest 
doll,” cried Dorothy, and I’m so glad 
Jane is going to let her stay with us for 
three whole days.” 

“ But you’ll be careful, and not let a dog 
or anything shake her, won’t you? ” 
warned Jane. 

‘‘ Yes, indeed, we’ll be very careful— we 
wouldn’t let anything happen to Arabella 
for the world,” answered Dorothy. 

I’d be almost afraid to let piggy- wig 
even see her,” added Mignon. 


176 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

Piggy- wig? Where is he?^’ asked 

Alys. 

‘‘ Here he is,” said Dorothy, walking 
behind the barn, where the fattest, blackest 
pig in the land was walking around in his 
pen. 

Ugh! What a monster pig,” cried 
Jane. 

“ And he never stops eating,” declared 
Mignon. One day I dropped my dolly’s 
best shoe into the pen, and that naughty 
pig gobbled it up before my very eyes.” 

Really! ” cried Alys, would a pig eat 
a dolly’s shoe? ” 

A pig eats everything; that’s why he is 
a pig,” said Dorothy, wisely. 

Oh! ” cried Jane, suppose my doll 
should get alive, and run away ! She might 
lose her way, and get into this pen, and 
piggy- wig would eat her up! ” 

No, she won’t, Jane; we’ll take good 
care of Arabella, and we’ll watch piggy- 
wig.” 

When the little girls had grown tired of 
watching the pig, they strolled along until 
they came to the housekeeper’s cottage. 


A VISIT TO BRIERWOOD 177 

where a great big parrot, in his cage, was 
taking the air on the porch. 

Hello, Polly! ” cried Mignon, poking 
her finger into the cage.^ 

Hello! Hello! Hello! Hello! 
screamed Polly. 

Polly want a cracker? ” asked Alys. 

Shut up, you girl,’’ answered Polly. 

You naughty bird to be so impolite! ’’ 

Light, light, Polly wants a light! ’’ 
screamed the parrot, cocking his head on 
one side. 

In the midst of Polly’s chatter, Doro- 
thy’s father appeared, and was introduced 
to Jane and Arabella. 

Did you show your little friends the 
ponies? ” asked Mr. Clover. 

Not yet, father,” replied Dorothy; I 
thought I would leave the ponies for the 
last.” 

‘‘Oh! Have you real, live ponies? ” 
cried Alys. 

“ Eeal, live ponies! Two of them,” re- 
plied Mignon. “ My pony is named 
Brownie, and Dorothy’s is Spotty, because 
he has a white spot on his forehead.” 


178 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

At a word from Mr. Clover, Peter led 
the two handsome little ponies into the 
yard, and the children stroked and petted 
the pretty creatures, and called them by 
name. Mr. Clover lifted Alys on to the 
back of Brownie, and Jane was placed 
astride Spotty, and our little girls had a 
ride around the yard on the ponies. 

I never was on a real live pony before,’^ 
said Alys. ‘‘ I wish that my mother could 
see me.’’ 

We’ll trot around to the front of the 
house, where she can see you,” said Mr. 
Clover. She’ll think two little Western 
girls are coming to call.” 

‘‘Oh! Mother, see! ” shouted Alys. 
“It’s splendid fun to ride on a pony, isn’t 
it, Jane? ” 

But Jane was too full of the excitement 
of the ride to answer, and held her seat, her 
face wreathed in smiles. 

“ You look like two little girls from the 
prairies,” said Mrs. Von Mayer. 

“ Now I’ll tell you what we’ll do,” said 
Mr. Clover. “ We’ll all go out on the back 
road and have a good race.” 


A VISIT TO BRIERWOOD 179 

Nothing could have pleased the little 
riders better, and they dashed off to the 
road like two veterans, leaving the others 
to follow at their leisure. 

Jane and Alys had two or three races 
before the rest of the party came up. 

Now, children,’’ said Mr. Clover, I’ll 
start you right here, and whoever reaches 
the birch tree at the end of the road first, 
wins the race. When I say five, go! ” 

Each rider’s heart began to beat faster 
as Mr. Clover counted slowly:— One- 
two— three— four— five! ” and away went 
the ponies, dashing down the road as fast 
as they could go, their little riders bend- 
ing over their necks like professional jock- 
ies. 

For fifty yards or more the ponies kept 
together, while Mignon and Dorothy 
shouted encouragement; then Brownie 
pushed ahead a little and Mrs. Clover 
called out: 

Keep it up! Keep it up! ” 

Brownie’s way ahead,’’ called Doro- 
thy. 

No, Spotty has caught up to him— 


180 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND' 


there! Spotty’s ahead,” cried Mrs. Von 
Mayer. 

The race grew more and more exciting, 
now it was Spotty ahead, and again it was 
Brownie, leading by a length, and all the 
while the little audience urged on the 
riders. 

Go it! Go it! ” shouted Mr. Clover, as 
the two little riders, with one final spurt, 
tried for the goal. In another moment 
Spotty dashed proudly past the birch tree, 
with Brownie following about a length 
behind. 

Jane won! ” declared Mignon, 

Spotty can trot faster than Brownie.” 

When the pony race was over the little 
party went back to the house, and Dorothy 
led her little guests into the ‘‘ Rosebud 
Corner” of Brierwood, to enjoy the deli- 
cious lunch that Mrs. Carroll, the house- 
keeper, had prepared for them. ALfterward 
they went all over the wonderful gardens, 
and, when every inch of beautiful Brier- 
wood outside had been explored, they went 
indoors to see Dorothy’s play-room. It was 
a wonderful play-room, filled with all sorts 


A VISIT TO BRIERWOOD 181 

of fine toys, and the little girls from 
Brightwood were loath to leave it. 

But the pleasant afternoon slipped away 
as only a pleasant afternoon can, and at 
last it was time for the visitors to go home. 

‘‘ Are you quite sure, Jane, that you are 
willing to have Arabella stay here at Brier- 
wood? ’’ whispered Dorothy. 

Yes, Dorothy, she may stay for three 
days; but don’t let that pig eat her up.” 

‘‘No, indeed,” said Dorothy; “I’ll take 
the very best care of your doll, and she’ll 
sleep right in my own room at night. Oh! 
don’t I wish she’d get alive for me.” 

“ Arabella,” said Jane, shaking a warn- 
ing finger at the great rag doll in Doro- 
thy’s arms, “ be good and don’t run away; 
if you do, I shall have to whip you.” 

Then the visitors stepped into the great 
touring car, and started for Brightwood, 
while Dorothy and Mignon waved their 
hands, and held up Arabella, until it was 
out of sight. 


CHAPTER XV 


THE MOST WONDERFUL DOLL IN THE WORLD 

HE following day, when Alys and 



Jane were at play in Happyland, 


they could talk of little else than 
their delightful afternoon at Brierwood. 

‘‘ And just think of it! ’’ cried Jane; 

my own dear Arabella is over there visit- 
ing in that beautiful place! ” 

‘‘Oh! What a good time she’ll have,” 
exclaimed Alys. 

“ And what a good time Dorothy and 
Mignon will have with her,” flashed Jane. 

“Yes, of course,” Alys agreed, “ I sup- 
pose that they are playing house with her 
to-day.” 

“ They’ll have my doll for three long 
days; but, at the end of that time,” said 
Jane, with a contented little smile, “ they 
must bring her home to me, and I shall be 
so glad, for I miss her already.” 

“ I hope she won’t run away while she’s 
over there,” said Alys. 


182 


THE MOST WONDERFUL DOLL 183 

It would be dreadful if she did,’’ de- 
clared Jane, because Brierwood is so far 
away that she might get lost, and then I’d 
never see her again; but I’m sure Dorothy 
will take good care of her.” 

Now, little reader, I am going to leave 
Alys and Jane in Happyland, and take you 
over to Brierwood, because of a very inter- 
esting episode that occurred to that strange 
doll, Arabella. 

For a whole day after Jane’s visit, Doro- 
thy and Mignon had a good time with her 
doll. They played house ” and “ after- 
noon tea; ” they took lovely walks with 
Arabella; and even let her go for a ride on 
the ponies. When night came, and it was 
time for the children to go to sleep, Doro- 
thy took Arabella into her own little bed, 
and covered the great doll with her own 
hands. 

Please don’t get alive to-night, Ara- 
bella, and don’t go off on the back of a 
gentleman cat,” whispered dear little Dor- 
othy into Arabella’s ear, or rather into 
the place where her ear should have 
been. 


184 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


Now I think you will admit that all dolls 
are prone to accident. They break an arm 
or a leg, lose a finger or have an ear 
chopped off on the slightest provocation. 
Arabella, being a rag doll, was immune, so 
to speak, from accidents of this sort; but, 
alas! Arabella, more than any doll that 
you ever met, or heard about, was pos- 
sessed to disappear. She did not disap- 
pear that first night in Brierwood, how- 
ever, for Dorothy awoke, the next morn- 
ing, to find the great doll safely at her side. 
That second day of Arabella’s visit was one 
of pleasure. Dorothy and Mignon played 
all the morning long, and, when the after- 
noon came, they dressed Arabella with a 
pretty blue sash and tied a veil over her 
green tam-o’-shanter, for Peter was going 
to drive them to the lake, with the ponies, 
in the basket phaeton. 

You really ought to wear a green sash 
to match your green cap,” said Mignon; 

but never mind, blue is pretty and be- 
coming and I suppose a great lady rag doll 
can wear any color.” 

When the phaeton was ready the chil- 


THE MOST WONDERFUL DOLL 185 

dren took their dolls and seated themselves 
in it, like two little mothers. They talked 
to Arabella all the way to the lake, and, 
when the pretty place was reached at last, 
Dorothy and Mignon jumped out and 
walked ” Arabella, between them, down 
to the very edge of the water. 

By and by Peter showed them how to 
skip pebbles on the smooth surface. By 
taking a flat stone, and aiming deftly, he 
could make what he called A-B-C-D in 
ever widening circles on the still water. 
But Dorothy and Mignon, though they 
tried very hard, could only make A-B. 

Arabella was placed on a great rock, 
where she could have a good view of them, 
and, when they grew tired of skipping peb- 
bles, they carried the doll to the water’s 
edge and dipped the very tips of her toes 
in the lake. 

When you go home, dear Arabella,” 
said Mignon, you can tell Jane that you 
went in wading.” 

The children played at the lakeside all 
that pleasant afternoon, and left the scene 
of their fun reluctantly when Peter looked 


186 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

at his watch and told them that it was 
time to go. 

Dorothy drove the ponies on the way 
home, under Peter’s guidance, while Mig- 
non looked after the dolls. It was a de- 
lightful drive, for their road lay through 
the heart of a pine wood that seemed to 
hold all the sweet odors of the wood 
world. 

It was not until they were inside the 
gates of Brierwood that Dorothy turned 
suddenly to see why Mignon was so quiet. 

Why, Peter, Mignon is asleep! ” cried 
Dorothy. 

So she is,” said Peter, with a smile on 
his honest red face. I guess running 
around the lake was too much for her.” 

He lifted Mignon out of the phaeton, and 
had started to carry her into the house, 
when he met the housekeeper. She took 
the sleepy little girl in her arms, and 
brought her into the house. 

When Peter went back to the ponies he 
found the most excited little girl in the 
land, waiting for him. 

Peter! Peter! Where is Arabella? 


THE MOST WONDERFUL DOLL 187 

She^s not here with the other dolls— 
What has become of her! ” 

Arabella,” muttered Peter, scratching 
his head in a puzzled way, what might it 
be?” 

Arabella’s a doll, Peter. A great rag 
doll, and she was sitting right here on the 
seat with Mignon, and now she’s gone.” 

Well, she’s not gone far. Miss Dorothy, 
that’s sure,” declared Peter. Likely she 
dropped out, and I’ll go back over the road 
and get her.” 

Yes, please go at once, Peter, for I 
wouldn’t have anything happen to Ara- 
bella for the world. In the first place, she 
doesn’t belong to us; she belongs to a little 
girl who lives at Brightwood. In the sec- 
ond place, Arabella is the most wonderful 
doll in the world— do you know why, 
Peter? ” 

No, miss.’^ 

Well, she gets alive at night, some- 
times. She runs away and she’s been in a 
fish chariot— what do you think of that? ” 

Werry remarkable.” 

It is, Peter; so please hurry and bring 


188 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


Arabella back to me, for IVe promised to 
take good care of her/’ 

Peter turned the ponies’ heads for the 
wood again, while Dorothy hurried into the 
house to be dressed for dinner. 

The ponies trotted back over the road, 
Peter keeping a sharp lookout for the great 
rag doll; but, although he went over every 
inch of ground, not a trace of Arabella 
could he find. 

In the meantime, tired little Mignon had 
finished her nap, and was up and dressed, 
waiting on the veranda, when Dorothy re- 
appeared. 

Did you know, Mignon, that Arabella’s 
gone? ” said Dorothy. 

Gone? ” echoed Mignon. ‘‘ How can 
that be? I sat beside her all the time.” 

But you fell asleep, Mignon; and we 
think she must have dropped out, because 
she was not with the other dolls when we 
came home, and Peter has gone back to find 
her.” 

Oh! Dorothy, perhaps she didn’t fall 
out at all; perhaps she got alive and ran 
away! ” said Mignon, in meaning tones. 


THE MOST WONDERFUL DOLL 189 

But she gets alive only at night, when 
folks are asleep; Jane said so,’’ declared 
Dorothy. 

Well, I was asleep,” returned Mig- 
non. That naughty doll thought no 
one could see her — I am sure she ran 
away — Perhaps she ran back to 
Jane.” 

I’m afraid she’d never find her way, 
Mignon. She would be lost forever, and 
that would be dreadful. I don’t think she 
got alive; I think she just fell out, and 
Peter will find her, and bring her back to 
us.” 

That doll looks as if she could do any- 
thing, Dorothy. I never saw such a queer, 
queer doll.” 

Here’s Peter now,” cried Dorothy, 
who had caught a glimpse of the ponies 
through the trees. Let’s run and meet 
him.” 

Peter! Peter! did you find Arabella? 
Where is she? ” cried Mignon, fiying down 
the walk, followed by Dorothy. 

I didn’t find her at all, miss; never 
saw a sight of a doll,” said Peter, when he 


190 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

drew up and stopped to answer the volley 
of questions. 

Oh! Peter! ” cried two disappointed 
little girls in one breath. 

I searched every inch o’ the road, miss. 
I looked everywhere for the doll; but 
she’s not to be found — she’s gone, sure 
enough.” 

Now what will Jane say,” cried Doro- 
thy, the tears starting in her eyes. What 
will poor Jane do without her doll! ” 

Well, well, don’t cry,” said Peter, fin- 
gering his cap nervously. Why would 
ye be crying for an old rag doll, when you 
have a score of fine dolls.” 

Old rag doll! ” exclaimed Mignon, in- 
dignantly. “ Arabella’s just the wonder- 
fullest doll in the world— don’t you be- 
lieve that, Peter? ” 

‘‘I’ll believe anything you say,” said 
Peter, “ and it’s sorry I am that I could not 
find the doll; but I couldn’t.” 

“ Then she must have run away,” said 
Mignon, turning to her cousin, “ or else 
Peter would have found her— Don’t cry, 
Dorothy.” 


THE MOST WONDERFUL DOLL 191 

I can’t help it, Mignon. I promised to 
take good care of Arabella, and I didn’t; 
and now Jane’s doll is gone, and Jane will 
feel dreadfully about it.” 

Don’t cry— please don’t cry,” said Mig- 
non, putting her arm around Dorothy’s 
neck. I’m very sorry, and it was all my 
fault because I fell asleep.” 

A sudden toot from a motor horn made 
the little group turn suddenly, to see Mr. 
and Mrs. Clover approaching in the touring 
car. 

What! My little girl crying this fine 
afternoon! What’s the matter? ” asked 
Mr. Clover, when he had stopped the ma- 
chine. 

‘‘ It was all my fault,” began Mignon, 
the tears starting in her eyes. I fell 
asleep, and I guess Lady Arabella ran 
away.” 

Then Mignon told part of the story, and 
Dorothy finished the sad tale. 

How is this, Peter? Did you make a 
careful search for the doll? ” asked Mr. 
Clover, turning to Peter, who stood there, 
fingering his cap. 


192 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

I did, sir,’’ replied Peter. I went 
back over the road, and I couldn’t see a 
trace of the doll, sir.” 

Perhaps mother’s eyes are sharper 
than Peter’s,” observed Mr. Clover. 

Don’t cry any more, children. Jump in, 
and we’ll all go back and look for Ara- 
bella.” 

Peter opened the door, and the two lit- 
tle girls, brushing away the tears, stepped 
inside, and they sped away to the lake 
road to search for the doll. But, alas! 
with no better success than Peter 
had, and, after looking everywhere, 
they gave up the hunt, and returned 
home. 

It’s too bad,” said Mrs. Clover, that 
Arabella is gone, and I would really like to 
know what has become of that wonderful 
doll.” 

Is it so wonderful a doll? ” asked Mr. 
Clover. 

Wonderful! *’ echoed Dorothy. Oh! 
father, you ought to hear Alys tell about it, 
and then you’d know how perfectly won- 
derful Lady Arabella is,” 


THE MOST WONDERFUL DOLL 193 

The Lady Arabella gets alive at times, 
whispered Mrs. Clover. 

She gets alive at night,’’ declared 
Mignon. 

She goes cat-back riding,” declared 
Dorothy. 

Cat-back riding! ” echoed Mr. Clover. 

Yes, father; there’s a black gentleman 
cat, named Sir Thomas; he called for Ara- 
bella, and she went off riding with him 
many times before she came to Brierwood. 
Auld Mazie saw them with her own 
eyes.” 

Is it possible,” cried Mr. Clover, 
that Brierwood has entertained within 
its walls so illustrious a lady! By my 
faith, the Lady Arabella shall be fol- 
lowed and found — I’ll offer a reward for 
her.” 

Oh, thank you, father; that will be 
fine,” cried Dorothy, clapping her hands. 

I want her so much, because, you see, I 
promised to keep her safe and sound for 
Jane. Jane just loves Arabella, and she 
was kind enough to let me take her for 
three days.” 


194 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

Arabella must be foimd! ’’ declared Mr. 
Clover. 

Then the big car turned into beautiful 
Brierwood, and nothing further was said 
that day about the lost doll. 


CHAPTER XVI 

SCOTCH MIST 

T he next morning— and now we are 
in Brightwood again— Alys and her 
mother were sitting together in 
Happyland, when they heard a familiar 
warble and trill somewhere in the woods. 

That’s Jane,” cried Alys,/^ I know her 
voice.” 

Hush! ” said Mrs. Von Mayer, a finger 
on her lips. Listen to that child’s 
music! ” 

There was silence in the pretty camp- 
house, while Jane rippled and trilled like a 
bird. 

“ Jane has a wonderful voice,” said Mrs. 
Von Mayer. ‘‘ Some day she’ll be a beau- 
tiful singer.” 

That’s just what Do-re said,” said 
Alys. ‘^But here she is now— Good 
morning, Jane— Come in.” 

Good morning, good morning,” re- 
195 


196 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

turned Jane, looking as sweet and lovely as 
any little human flower could, in spite of 
her old plaid dress. 

You sing as if Brightwood were hardly 
big enough to hold you, Jane,’’ laughed 
Mrs. Von Mayer. “ You must be very 
happy.” 

I am happy,” replied Jane. I’m 
happy every day, but I’m double, double 
happy to-day, because this is the day that 
Arabella comes back.” 

Why, so it is, Jane, I had forgotten 
that Lady Arabella was away visiting.” 

She’s been visiting three whole days at 
Brierwood,” said Alys. 

‘‘ What a good time Arabella must have 
had over there,” said mother, smiling down 
at the happy little owner of the wonderful 
doll. ‘‘ And now, children, I am going to 
leave you to enjoy yourselves, because I 
must copy something for father.” 

‘‘ What shall we play? ” asked Jane, 
when they were alone. 

Let’s get long dresses, and make be- 
lieve we are ladies,” said Alys, and we’ll 
go and visit Norma Norris and the twins.” 


SCOTCH MIST 197 

But where shall we get the dresses? ’’ 
asked Jane. 

We’ll ask Nora for them. Come along. 
Let’s play a trick on Nora. Make believe 
I’m the umbrella man. We’ll go just as 
still — as still.” 

The two little rogues stole softly across 
the yard, and tiptoed into the back porch, 
fingers on their lips. 

‘‘ Umbe-rellers ter mend— Wash-sh-sh 
tubs ter mend,” cried Alys and Jane at the 
keyhole. 

‘‘ Glory be! ” cried Nora, throwing open 
the door, ‘‘ I thot ’twas a rale tinker was 
at me dure.” 

Alys and Jane bubbled over with merri- 
ment at the success of their joke, while 
Nora stood and smiled broadly at them. 

Have you any umbrellas to mend to- 
day, Misses? ” 

I have not, sor,” said Nora, entering 
into the spirit of the game. 

Any broken wash tubs to mend, lady? ” 

Niver a wan, sor.” 

Well, have you anything to mend? ” 
persisted Alys. 


198 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

Faith the only thing that needs mend- 
ing here is a heart/ ^ 

A heart? Whose heart, Nora? ” 

Me own, Alys.” 

Why, what’s the matter with your 
heart, Nora? ” 

‘‘It’s broken — cracked and broken, 
Alys.” 

“ Couldn’t the umbrella man mend it, 
Nora? ” 

“ He could not, the blayguarrd! ” 

“ Well, how do you mend broken hearts, 
Nora? ” 

“ Sure then, Alys, there’s only wan way 
to mend broken hearts, and that is wid a 
love plaster.” 

“ A love plaster, Nora! How do you 
make it? ” 

“ Outer love, to be sure, darlin’; an’ now 
run away wid yerselves.” 

“ Well, Nora, I wish I could make you a 
love plaster, because I love you, and I love 
to play lady, and, if you will give me, 
please, a few old skirts and things, we will 
run away.” 

“ Och! Alys! Alys! ” cried Nora, with 


SCOTCH MIST 


199 

a loud laugh, ‘‘ you’re a fox, and you’re a 
coaxer, you’ve got honey enough on the end 
of your tongue to put the bees outer busi- 
ness; but I can’t refuse you.” 

Well, then, please get them, Nora, 
’cause we’re in a turrible hurry.” 

Hould on for two minutes,” said Nora, 
as she flew up-stairs, returning a moment 
later with two long skirts and two hats, 
rather ancient, to be sure, but quite appro- 
priate to be used by two little girls in play- 
ing lady.” Jane and Alys arrayed them- 
selves in their grown-up togs, and started 
to walk down the street, holding up their 
long skirts like real fashionable ladies. 
They had hardly turned the comer, how- 
ever, when they looked back and saw an 
automobile at the house. 

Oh, goody! It must be Dorothy Clo- 
ver,” cried Alys, clapping her hands. 

‘‘Oh! Perhaps they’ve brought Arabella 
home,” said Jane. 

Then two eager little girls forgot the fact 
that they were ladies, and, gathering up 
the two cumbersome skirts, ran like In- 
dians. 


200 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

Mrs. Von Mayer was on the piazza, talk- 
ing to her visitors, when Alys and Jane 
came up, quite breathless. 

What— more callers! ’’ exclaimed Mrs. 
Clover, pretending not to recognize the two 
^‘ladies,’’ who had dropped their long 
skirts at just the right moment. 

It’s only me and Jane,” explained 
Alys. We were going to play ‘ lady,’ and 
call on Norma; but, when we saw you, we 
ran all the way back.” 

Because we thought you had Arabella,” 
added Jane. 

My dear child, I’m sorry to say that we 
haven’t Arabella. We came over to tell 
you about it.” 

She didn’t get alive and run away, did 
she? ” flashed Alys. 

Let me tell you just how it happened, 
children,” said Mrs. Clover, and in a few 
words she related the story of Arabella’s 
strange disappearance from Brierwood. 

Oh! ” cried Jane, ‘‘ she’s run away 
again; I know she’s gone off with the 
fairies.” 

‘‘ Jane, we are going to try very hard to 


SCOTCH MIST 


201 


find Arabella, and I think well succeed,” 
said Mrs. Clover. 

Uncle John has offered a reward for 
her,” added Mignon. 

I’d like to go and tell auld Mazie about 
it,” said Alys; she might guess where 
Arabella has gone.” 

I’m going home to tell her,” said Jane, 
sadly. 

May we go, too, mother? ” asked Doro- 
thy, who longed to meet the wonderful old 
woman. 

Yes, you and Mignon may go; but 
don’t stay too long, and, if the old lady is 
busy, come right back.” 

Oh, she’s not too busy to talk about 
Arabella,” said Jane. Auld Mazie was 
never too busy for that in all her life.” 

Then Jane and Alys slipped off the long 
skirts, and the four little girls hurried over 
the path to the red cottage. 

I see auld Mazie now,” cried Jane, 
suddenly. She’s getting mullein leaves 
for her tea.” 

Is that what she uses to make her 
tea? ” asked Mignon, 


202 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

Aye— her medicine tea,” replied Jane, 
who, at times, unconsciously dropped into 
auld Mazie’s expressions. The little girl 
ran ahead to the stump of a tree, where the 
old woman sat, fingering some mullein 
leaves in her lap. 

Mazie,” said Jane, here are Dorothy 
and Mignon, the two little girls who live at 
Brierwood.” 

I^m right proud to shake a hand wi’ 
you,” said auld Mazie, with a smile that set 
all the mirth wrinkles around her black 
eyes in motion. If I was na out here,” 
she added, I’d gie yer all scones an’ jam, 
that I would! ” 

Oh! ” said Jane, her face beaming, 
it’s not far to the house, Mazie.” 

Aye, it’s no verra far for young legs; 
but it’s quite a deestance for a puir old 
body like me,— quite a deestance.” 

Mazie,” cried AJys, unable to refrain 
longer from telling the important tidings, 
“ Arabella’s gone again! ” 

She has! ” 

‘‘ Tell her, Dorothy, please; tell her just 
how it happened.” 


SCOTCH MIST 


203 


Well, you know,’’ said little Dorothy, 
who, up to this moment, had been regard- 
ing the little old woman with mute aston- 
ishment, ‘‘ we took Arabella with us for a 
ride to the lake and, on the way home, 
Peter let me take the reins, and then Mig- 
non fell asleep, and Peter thought that 
Arabella fell out of the phaeton, and he 
went way back to the lake; but he could 
not find her.” 

‘‘ Ay el He could na find her— the 

limmer! ” 

Why? ” asked Alys. Oh! Mazie, 
where do you think she might be? ” 

How could a body know where sech a 
wild doll might be? She might be any- 
wheres from the moss to the moon,— that’s 
the kind Arabella is.” 

Oh! Tell us about it, please,” coaxed 
Alys. 

Four little girls had unconsciously 
dropped into four little places around that 
old woman, who could tell such wonderful 
stories, and the more that dear old woman 
shook her head, and looked unutterable 
things, the more those four small people 


204 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

felt that her stock of stories relating to 
Arabella was unlimited. 

I wish I knew, lass,’’ said auld Mazie; 
I wish I knew where that bold doll 
might be— likely she’s gone off wi’ Sir 
Thomas, or his rival.” 

His rival! What do you mean? ” cried 
Jane. 

Why, lass. Sir Thomas, the gentleman 
cat, has a powerful rival, one Dick Crow, 
by name, an’ a braw, black crow he is, wi’ 
a shining coat on his back, an’ I’ll never 
forget the nicht that same Dick Crow flew 
over a moonlight woods to my ain door to 
call for Arabella! ” 

‘‘Oh! Mazie, don’t stop, please tell us all 
about it. Where did they go? ” cried Alys, 
breathlessly, while Dorothy and Mignon 
gazed at the old woman in wonder. 

“ Aweel lass, it was like this. I was 
havin’ a wee bit porridge at the window, 
an’ that Arabella was lying in the corner, 
where Jane had been playing wi’ her 
“ And where was I, Mazie? ” 

“ You, Jane, was fast asleep in your 
cradle. An’ pretty soon I half closed my 


SCOTCH MIST 


205 


eyes, an’ wi’ that came three little knocks 
on the window.” 

And what did you do then, Mazie? ” 

I never made a sound. I did na hardly 
breathe. Pretty soon came three taps 
again. I looked, an’ there was a gentleman 
crow, pecking at the window. He wore a 
brand new coat, that shone like satin in the 
moonlight, an’ he had on a stiff, white 
collar, verra high, around his neck. 

* Arabella, chick — chick — chick, 

Come Arabella, quick — quick — quick; 

The Moon’s a Molly, 

The Stars are jolly; 

But poor Dick Crow is melancholy.’ ” 

That’s what he sang, and Arabella 
jumps up from the corner and dances up to 
the window-sill. 

< Why be melancholy, dear Dick? ’ 
asks Arabella. 

<< < To-night,’ replied Dick, ‘ there’s a 
feast in Pirate Peter’s eerie, and I came to 
fetch you, dear Arabella; but my heart 
misgives me, for I’m af eared that Sir 
Thomas has won that honor.’ 

^ He has not,’ retorted Arabella. ‘ I’ll 


206 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

go wi’ you, Dick, and I’d love to see Pirate 
Peter.’ Then that bold doll raised the win- 
dow ever so lightly, and out she stepped, 
and she settled herself right under Dick 
Crow’s left wing, an’ straight way he flew 
up into the air, wi’ her.” 

But, Mazie, could you see them? Did 
you follow them? ” asked Alys, breath- 
lessly. 

‘‘ Aye, lass, that I did, as fast as my puir 
auld legs could get me out o’ the house. 
Far up into the air went ^he pair o’ them, 
an’ I could hear Arabella laughing, an’ I 
had a crook in my neck for a week wi’ try- 
ing to follow them. Over the tree-tops, 
right into the heart of a moonlight woods, 
flew Dick Crow, and then they circled 
’roimd an’ ’round, right over my head. 
‘ They’re going to alight somewhere ’s 
about,’ said I to mysel’, an’ I was right, for, 
close at hand, was a great, square, rocky 
cave that rose high in the air, and down on 
top of the rocky cave flew Dick Crow, an’ 
then he an’ Arabella sat themselves down 
as comfortable as could be, and they talked 
an’ laughed like two old friends^ and Dick 


SCOTCH MIST 


207 


Crow told her all the gossip of the neigh- 
borhood/’ 

What did he tell her, Mazie? ” 

He told her that Pirate Peter was the 
verra richest crow in all those parts, and 
that he had been away for months, foraging 
in foreign parts; an’ inside the rocky cave 
it was just filled wi’ his plunder. An’ he 
also told her that, a few days before. Pirate 
Peter had returned wi’ a young bride, and 
he was giving a dinner in her honor, that 
night, to all the birds. 

‘‘ ^ Whom did Pirate Peter marry? ’ asks 
Arabella. 

^ The lady’s name is Jennie Wrenn,’ 
replied Dick. 

‘ Is she pretty? ’ asks Arabella. 

^ Not at all,’ said Dick; ^ she’s as plain 
a little body as ever I see; but she’s verra 
domestic, an’ Pirate Peter will now settle 
down. ’ 

‘ Ah me! ’ sighed Arabella. 

^ Ah-h mine! ’ said Dick Crow, and 
then and there he proposed. ^ Arabella,’ 
he said, ‘ I love you dearly, fiy wi’ me to- 
night/ 


208 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

‘ Nonsense/ said that naughty doll, ^ I 
like you, Dick; but one cannot make a beau 
of a crow.’ ” 

Is that all. Mazie? ” cried four voices 
in chorus. 

‘‘ Na-na! At this point a distant clock 
began to strike, and immediately a great 
owl, carrying a lantern, flew down on the 
cave. 

‘‘ The owl grumbled and scolded, and at 
last asked Arabella and Dick to move on, 
as the table was about to be set; and they 
did move away to another corner, and sat 
like two lovers; then such hurrying and 
scurrying back and forth. A dozen great 
birds brought a long table, and they spread 
a white cloth on it, and they laid dishes, 
and lit candles, and arranged flowers, till 
it was as pretty a table for a feast as any 
you ever looked at. There were bird-wait- 
ers and bird-cooks, and dainty bird-maids 
in cap and apron. At last a bell began to 
ring, and the guests began to arrive. 

All sorts of birds came, in pairs, and 
verra smart they looked, the gentlemen wi’ 
stiff white collars, and the ladies wi’ a 


SCOTCH MIST 209 

ruffle o’ soft lace around their necks. Pi- 
rate Peter sat at the head of the table— a 
great fierce-looking crow he was, and verra 
stout, wi’ a walking-stick at his side; and 
his bride was a wee, modest, shrinking 
thing, that hardly lifted her eyes. Ara- 
bella and Dick Crow walked up, and sat 
near the end of the table, and sech spirits 
as Arabella was in— sech laughing and 
talking and twitting! 

‘‘ ‘ I drink to the health of the bride,’ 
said Arabella, raising the glass to her lips.” 

‘‘ What did they have to drink at the 
Crow’s party? ” asked Alys. 

Nectar, child.” 

Nectar! What is nectar? ” 

It’s plain water, charged wi’ love. 
The fairies make it, and all lovers jest dote 
on it.” 

What happened then, Mazie?” 

Well, lass, the feast went on. I had 
crawled half-way up the cave, an’ me puir 
old bones were aching from settin’ in a 
cramped position; but I dared not go one 
step farther! I saw wonderful sights; I 
saw them eat and drink, and make merry; 


210 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

I heard Pirate Peter tell about his ex- 
ploits in foreign parts, and all his wild 
deeds. 

But, for all that, the Lady Arabella 
was the bright star o’ that gathering. My! 
but she amused them and, by the looks o’ 
the jade, she amused herself most of all, 
for she played wi’ them, and parleyed wi’ 
them, an’ flirted wi’ one and all o’ them. 
But, all at once, during the very height of 
the party, I spied a dark shadow creeping 
stealthily up the side o’ the rock. Sud- 
denly Pirate Peter saw that shadow, too! 
He sprang to his feet. 

‘ Mine ancient enemy. Sir Thomas, is 
upon us,’ said Peter. 

In the twinkling of an eye every bird 
had disappeared. Arabella alone, of all 
that gay company, remained seated at the 
table, and smiled as Sir Thomas strode into 
the banquet hall. 

‘ So! ’ said Sir Thomas, letting his eyes 
fall on the empty chairs, and then scowling 
at Arabella; ^ Madam, I find you alone! ’ 

‘ The better to enjoy your company, 
Sir Thomas,’ said Arabella wi’ a curtsey. 


SCOTCH MIST 


211 


^ Doll, where is your late partner? ’ de- 
manded Sir Thomas, angrily. 

‘ Being a bird, he flew,’ answered Ara- 
bella. 

' A craven crow! ’ sneered Sir Thomas. 

^ The crow is a valiant gentleman! ’ 
flashed Arabella, ^ but verra discreet, wi’ 
aU.’ 

‘ May I have the pleasure of seeing 
you home? ’ asked Sir Thomas. 

^ You may,’ said Arabella, ^ if you will 
first bring me a few roses from yonder 
bush.’ 

^ I will get the roses at once,’ replied 
Sir Thomas, and he turned, and picked his 
steps carefully down the side of the cave, 
and hurried away to a distant group of wild 
rose bushes; but he had no sooner left the 
rocky cave, when Dick Crow, wi’ a laugh, 
flew right down beside Arabella, and all the 
other birds took their places around the 
table, and went on wi’ the party.” 

Mazie stopped for breath, while four 
childish voices cried out, What happened 
then? ” 

must go, Dick,’ said Arabella, 


212 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

‘ here is Sir Thomas, coming back wi’ the 
roses; he asked if he might see me home.’ 

‘‘ ‘ And he shall see you — come, dear- 
est’ 

At that Arabella burst out laughing; 
but she settled hersel’ under Dick Crow’s 
left wing; she kissed the tips o’ her fingers 
to all the birds; and away they fiew. 

Fofi several minutes Dick Crow, wi’ a 
mocking laugh, circled round an’ round in 
the air right over Sir Thomas’s head. 

‘ Would you see fair Arabella to her 
door? ’ mocked Dick Crow. ^ Then sprout 
a pair o’ wings. Sir Thomas, and maybe 
you could overtake us.’ 

Sir Thomas lashed his tail in fury, as 
he gazed at the happy pair over his head, 
and Arabella’s laugh echoed through the 
merry green woods. 

‘ Thief! Black Scoundrel! I’ll fix you 
yet, Dick Crow! ’ snarled Sir Thomas. 

But Dick and Arabella had fiown far, 
far away, over the moonlight woods; while 
I, puir auld body, crawled down the rocky 
cave and hobbled home as best I could. I 
was that lame and sore I had to rub arnica 


SCOTCH MIST 


213 


on my stiff joints. It’s all verra weel for 
a bold doll to go off; but it’s not weel at 
all for a puir auld body like me. 

Of course the jade was at home, safe 
in her corner, when I reached the house. 
You’d think she’d never left it! ” 

Is that all, Mazie? ” asked the chorus 
of voices. 

‘‘ Aye— ain’t that enough for one nicht’s 
doings? And now run away, for I’ve 
talked too much, an’ I must go home an’ 
steep my mullein.” 

‘‘ Oh, thank you, Mazie, for telling us all 
about it,” said Alys. 

When the children turned to go Dorothy 
said, ‘‘ I want to go and tell my mother all 
about it.” 

‘‘ I never heard of such a wonderful 
doll,” exclaimed Mignon. ‘‘ I wish I had 
one like her.” 

Perhaps we’ll never see her again,” 
said Jane, with a tear in her voice. 

Now, don’t feel badly, Jane,” said 
Mignon, for Uncle John said that Ara- 
bella must be found.” 

And my father always keeps his 


214 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


word,’’ said Dorothy proudly. He al- 
ways does just what he says he’ll do, and 
he always keeps his promises. Why, once 
upon a time, Jane, my father promised a 
lot of little newsboys a fine home up in the 
country among the hiUs. That house is be- 
ing built nofw. Do-re was at our house the 
other day, and my father showed him all 
the plans.” 

‘‘ I remember the day your father prom- 
ised them Clover House! ” exclaimed 
Alys. ‘‘ It was at a party in Brierwood; 
but, don’t you remember, Dorothy, Do-re 
and I thought of that party, in our Castle 
of Sunshine? ” 

Dorothy was about to answer when they 
reached the piazza where the two mothers 
were busy talking; but they stopped to 
listen to four eager Little girls while they 
repeated old Mazie’s story of Dick Crow 
and Arabella. Needless to say that many 
were the glances exchanged between these 
two mothers as the story progressed. 

What an interesting old lady Mazie 
must be, to have seen these wonderful 
sights! ” said Mrs. Clover. 


SCOTCH MIST 215 

Do-re says it’s all due to the Scotch 
mist,” observed Mrs. Von Mayer. 

I would like to meet old Mazie,” said 
Mrs. Clover. I wonder if I might see her 
some day, when she is not too busy.” 

She might give you scones and jam,” 
cried Jane; but you must not ask for it 
twice, though it’s awful good.” 

I’m sure that it’s good,” laughed the 
lady, ‘‘ and I promise you, Jane, that I will 
not ask for it twice.” 

The four little girls could not understand 
why there was such a ripple of laughter 
from the mothers, as Mrs. Clover put her 
arms around Jane’s neck and kissed her. 

‘‘ Don’t worry any more about your doll, 
Jane. I feel sure that we’ll find it, and, 
when we do, you’ll know it at once.” 

Then Mrs. Clover and Dorothy and Mig- 
non took leave of their friends, and started 
for home, while Jane and Alys donned the 
long skirts again to play lady.” 


CHAPTER XVII 

ADVENTURES OF ARABELLA 


OW we shall leave Alys and Jane 



for a short time and take a peak 


into Brierwood, because I know 
that you are burning with curiosity to learn 
what became of Arabella; and I shall tell 


you. 


Three days after Arabella’s strange dis- 
appearance, Mr. Clover sent for the hired 
man. 

‘‘ Peter, IVe made several inquiries; 
I’ve offered a reward, and yet not a trace 
of that lost doll can be found. What do 
you think about it? ” 

don’t know what to think, sir. I went 
all over the town last night, sir. I asked 
all the families in the place that have chil- 
dren, and I told ’em that you would pay 
to get the doll back, sir; but they know 
nothing of it,— they never saw the doll. 


sir. 


‘‘It’s very strange, Peter.” 


216 


ADVENTURES OF ARABELLA 217 

Werry, sir! ” 

Do you remember having met any per- 
son in the road, on the way home from the 
lake, that day? ” 

No one, sir,— that is, no one but a rag- 
man in his wagon. We met him just be- 
fore we turned into the woods.’’ 

Ah, Peter, that’s a clew! Perhaps the 
ragman picked up the doll.” 

Seeing that it was a rag doll, I make 
no doubt he did, sir.” 

Now then, Peter, did you happen to 
notice the name on his wagon? ” 

‘‘ I did not, sir.” 

“ Isn’t there any way you could find out 
his name, Peter? ” 

I think there is. I’ll try, sir.” 

Good! ” said Mr. Clover. Do it at 
once, Peter; find out that ragman’s name, 
locate him, and, if he has the doll, buy it 
back at any price. Get the doll and the 
reward is yours, Peter.” 

Thank you, sir; I’ll do my best.” 

When Mr. Clover had gone Peter stood 
very still, and scratched his head, while a 
broad smile played over his face. 


218 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

All that fuss for an old rag doll/’ he 
murmured; but, if the doll can be found, 
Peter Parr is the boy to find it! ” 

With these thoughts in his mind, Peter 
hurried out of Brierwood, and turned his 
footsteps to the town. He had almost 
reached it, when he stopped a moment to 
speak to the oldest inhabitant, one Captain 
Trotty, who spent his days taking walks 
and resting by the roadside. 

I suppose you see lots of ragmen pass- 
ing along this road? ” said Peter, when he 
had greeted the old man. 

I see dozens of them, scores of them, 
hundreds of them,” declared Captain 
Trotty in a very thin, high-pitched voice. 

“ I only wanted to know about one,” 
said Peter, fearing the old man would keep 
on raising the number. This one is a 
Jew, I think. He is middle aged, and has 
a bushy beard, and wears a cap.” 

They all wear caps,” piped Captain 
Trotty. Whiskers, too— whiskers, too—” 

I only wish I knew some of them,” said 
Peter. 

Likely you’ll meet one or two,” sug- 


ADVENTURES OF ARABELLA 219 

gested Captain Trotty; likely you’ll meet 
a dozen or a score of them.” 

Likely I will,” said Peter, and, after a 
pleasant word or two, he hurried on his 
way. 

He had not taken many steps, however, 
into the busy part of the town, when he 
heard a familiar cry:— 

E-rags, a ’-bottles, a ’-rags.” 

Here! ” cried Peter, running across the 
street to a wagon on which sat a little red- 
bearded man, whom Peter had never seen 
before. 

Could you tell me the name of the rag- 
man who came through here last Tuesday 
afternoon? ” asked Peter. He was a 
middle-aged man with a full black beard.” 

Tuesday afternoon? ” repeated the 
stranger. That’s Sammy Weil’s day.” 

Yes,— where does he live? ” said Peter. 

He has a big junk shop in Bentham, 
and he comes through here once a week.” 

Thank you,” said Peter, slipping a 
half-dollar into the man’s hand. 

Then Peter hurried on his way, which 
was the shortest possible route on the 


220 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

street cars to Bentham. It was not a long 
ride in the car, and Peter had no trouble 
in finding Sam Weil’s junk shop; but, 
when he arrived at the door of the shop, 
he learned that Sam was not there. Sam’s 
wife was there, however, a stout, rosy-faced 
young woman with a baby in her arms, and 
two little toddlers at her side, — and, oh ! 
joy! one of them, a curly-haired girl, held 
the great rag doll in her arms! 

Then Peter stated his errand. He told 
the ragman’s wife that the rag doll dropped 
out of the phaeton, and belonged to a little 
girl who wanted it very much. 

‘‘ Then this iss the very doll,” declared 
Mrs. Weil, holding up Arabella by one 
arm, for Sam, he found it last Tuesday, 
and he bring it home to Rachel.” 

“ Gimme my doll! gimme my doll! ” 
screamed Rachel. 

Dere! You see my little Rachel, she 
lofe dat doll already,” said Mrs. Weil. 

Yes, but it belongs to somebody else,” 
said Peter. 

‘‘ How do I know dat doll iss yours! ” 
retorted the wife of the ragman. ‘‘ My 


ADVENTURES OF ARABELLA 221 

man, he find dat doll, how do I know it iss 
yours! repeated Mrs. Weil, hashing a 
pair of bright eyes on Peter’s puzzled 
face. 

’Tain’t mine at all, ma’m; but I was 
sent for to get it. That’s all there is to it, 
ma’m. It belongs to a little girl, and I’ll 
tell you what I’ll do— I’ll give you two 
dollars for the doll.” 

For a moment Mrs. Weil’s countenance 
lit up like a ray of sunshine; then she shook 
her head sadly. 

Ah, sir, what iss two dollars when my 
childt, my little Rachel dere, lofe dat doll 
so! She cry oudt her eyes for it! ” 

When in doubt, Peter Parr always 
scratched his head, and therefore he 
scratched it now very vigorously, while he 
turned this proposition over in his mind. 

‘‘ But, my good woman, that doll isn’t 
yours or mine either; it’s rightful owner 
wants it; you must give it back, you 
know.” 

I tell you what I do,” said Mrs. Weil. 
I’ll give you dat doll for three dollar, an’ 
take your word it iss yours; den, p’r’aps. 


222 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

I can buy a doll for my poor childt here, 
what lofes dis doll already so much.” 

Sure! ” exclaimed Peter, joyfully, who 
had not thought of raising the price, I’ll 
give you three dollars.” 

He opened his pocketbook, and counted 
out the amount of money, and placed it in 
Mrs. Weil’s plump hand. 

Gimme my doll! ” screamed Rachel, 
stamping her little feet. Gimme my doll, 
I say! ” 

Rachel, Rachel, I buy you big wax doll 
—see, Rachel! ” 

The proud mother waved the crisp bills 
before the child for one second, and then 
stuffed them hastily into the bosom of her 
dress. In the meantime, Peter, with a 
broad grin on his honest face, took the 
great rag doll, and started for home. 

Dorothy and Mignon were playing cro- 
quet that morning in the Rosebud Cor- 
ner ” of Brierwood, when Peter suddenly 
appeared with the doll under his arm. 

There was a shout from the two little 
girls when they saw him, and they dropped 
their mallets and ran to meet him. 


ADVENTURES OF ARABELLA 223 

Oh! Peter! You’ve found Arabella! 
But, Oh! Peter! Where'* s her clothes f ” 
cried both children in one breath. 

Her clothes! ” echoed Peter, gazing 
stupidly at the children, and then at Ara- 
bella’s great, stuffed body. What do you 
mean— what clothes? ” 

“ Why, where’s all her skirts and 
things? Arabella wore heaps of clothes,” 
said Dorothy. 

And she wore a green tam-o’-shanter 
on her head,” added Mignon. 

Why, she has no clothes on her at all! ” 
said Dorothy, indignantly. 

That’s the way I found her, miss,” de- 
clared Peter, scratching his head. If 
you’d a’ told me about her clothes I’d see 
she got her clothes, miss; but you just said 
’twas a rag doll that was lost, and, by now, 
it’s likely the clothes are sold for rags.” 

Rags! ” echoed the children. 

‘‘ Yes, rags!— a jimk shop full of ’em, 
an’ a stout lidy guardin’ ’em; an’ ’twas 
werry hard to get the same doll, too, for her 
own kid wanted it.” 

The naughty child! Did you tell her, 


224 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

Peter, that Arabella belongs to Jane, and 
that Jane wants her own doll, and was cry- 
ing for her? ’’ 

I did, miss; but the little thing cried 
for it, too/’ 

Oh! here’s mother,” cried Dorothy, as 
Mrs. Clover appeared on the scene. Tell 
mother all about it, Peter.” 

Peter related the whole story to Mrs. 
Clover then and there, not omitting the 
fact that he would have inquired for Ara- 
bella’s clothes if some one had only men- 
tioned them. 

The mistress of beautiful Brierwood 
laughed softly when the narrative was fin- 
ished, and took the great rag doll from 
Peter. 

I thank you very much, Peter,” said 
the lady, and I know that Mr. Clover will 
want to hear all about it; and now I must 
take Arabella into the house at once.” 

Why, what are you going to do with 
her? ” asked Dorothy, curiously. 

Ever so many things,” laughed Mrs. 
Clover. I’m going to make her a new 
dress.” 


ADVENTURES OF ARABELLA 225 

Goody! mother! ’’ 

‘‘ And some new petticoats.’’ 

Oh! Lovely! mother! ” 

And a pretty new hat.” 

‘‘Oh! Oh! Mother, that’s sweet! ” 

“ And perhaps some shoes and stock- 
ings.” 

“ Jane will never know her, mother! ” 

“ But, before I do any one of these things, 
I’m going to—” 

“ Going to do what? Please tell us,” 
urged the children, when Mrs. Clover 
stopped abruptly and looked at them with 
a knowing smile. 

“ Well, children, perhaps this doll had 
measles, or scarlet fever, or some new doll 
disease while she was away; therefore, 
before you touch Arabella, she will have to 
he—fumigated.^^ 


CHAPTER XVni 


LADY ARABELLA RETURNS 

OU would never have known the 



Lady Arabella, had you seen her 


the morning that Peter brought her 
from Brierwood, and left her at Jane Law- 
rie^s cottage in the woods. 

Here’s the little girl’s doll,” said 
Peter, when auld Mazie appeared at the 
door. Mrs. Clover was coming over her- 
self, this afternoon, but the family have 
been called away for a few days, so she had 
me bring it over. She said she did not 
want the little girl to wait so long for her 


doll.” 


Where did they find her? ” asked 
Jane, who had listened intently to every 
word. 

’Twas like this, miss; the doll falls out 
of the carriage when we were driving home 
from the lake, and a ragman finds her, and 
picks her up, and takes her home to his 


226 


LADY ARABELLA RETURNS 227 

junk shop. I guess he sold the clothes for 
rags; but I got the doll, all right.” 

When Peter had gone, Jane hugged the 
doll, and kissed her, and held her at arm’s 
length, the better to admire the beautiful 
clothes. 

Arabella had on the prettiest rosebud 
muslin dress, with two ruffles on the skirt, 
and a lace collar around the neck. She 
wore a straw hat, trimmed with pink silk, 
and tied under her chin with black velvet 
ribbons, and all her petticoats were as 
daintily and prettily made as any in the 
land. 

Oh! Mazie, doesn’t Arabella look 
lovely! ” said Jane, in a sudden burst of 
enthusiasm over the new clothes. 

Aye— she looks grand, an’ she knows 
it, for I see her wink at me, when you was 
na lookin’.” 

You dear, old darling! ” cried Jane, 
hugging Arabella closer, you’re the best 
doll in the world; but don’t run away and 
leave me any more, will you, dearest? ” 

She’ll not go when you’re awake, lass, 
never fear; but wait till the nicht when the 


228 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

moon is full, an’ ye are sound asleep! I 
know the jade — she’ll be off wi’ Sir 
Thomas, or Dick Crow, or the mermaids 
will be sendin’ the fish chariot for her— 
they’ll want to see her braw new gown.” 

But how do they know that she has a 
braw new gown, Mazie^ ” 

How do they know it, lass! Why, did 
na I tell you that the fairies first brought 
Arabella, so, of course, they keep an eye 
on her, an’ her doings, all the time. They 
know her comings in, an’ her goings out, 
an’, by this time, every fairy, from here to 
Kirriemuir, knows aboot the braw new 
gown; an’ what the land fairies know they 
tell the sea fairies, and what are mermaids 
but pretty sea fairies! Know that Arabella 
has new clothes! Of course they know it! 
Why, I would na be surprised if it was the 
fairies, themselves, planned the runaway, 
just to get Arabella some new clothes! ” 

But she did not run away this time, 
Mazie; she fell out of the carriage when 
they were all driving home from the lake.” 

That’s what folks think, lass; but, 
dinna ye mind— Arabella jumped out! 


LADY ARABELLA RETURNS 229 

’Twas the fairies whispered to her— they 
planned it all, I tell ye! 

‘‘Well then, they are good, good fairies,” 
cried Jane, “ for Arabella never looked so 
beautiful! She’s too beautiful to stay at 
home any more; I must take her right over 
to Happyland to see Alys. May I go, 
Mazie? ” 

“ Aye, run along, but ye maun behave 
like a leddy.” 

“ Come, then, my own pet,” said Jane, 
and, taking Arabella in her arms, she 
started for Alys and Happyland. 

Jane found Alys sitting on her father’s 
knee, listening to a beautiful fairy story 
that her mother was telling, and the most 
interested listener to all appearances was 
Waggles, for he gave a little bark at Jane’s 
approach, as if he resented the interrup- 
tion. 

“ Come in, Jane,” said Alys. “ Mother 
has just finished a story. 

“ And finished it just in time,” said the 
musician, taking out his watch, “ because 
mother and I have to take the train now.” 

“Oh! Going to the city again,” said 


230 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

Alys, a shade of disappointment on her fair 
little face. 

Once again, I am sorry to say,” said 
mother. ‘^You know, darling, we have a 
great many things to get for our new home. 
It cannot be done all at once, because daddy 
cannot always get away.” 

You’ll not be lonesome, my pet,” said 
the musician, for I happen to know that 
some one is coming out here to-day to see 
the little girls who play in Happyland.” 

Oh, I know! ” cried Alys. Do you 
mean Do-re? ” 

Yes, that is just whom I mean. Ach^ 
mein Helling, I wush I could stay, but there 
is not time. Now we must go.” 

When the children were alone, Jane held 
up Arabella for Alys’s inspection, and our 
little girl went into raptures over the new, 
clean, well-dressed Arabella. 

They played house all the morning in 
Happyland, and had a delightful time with 
the dolls. During the fun, Norma Norris 
came, and the children made believe that 
Norma was a real lady, making an after- 
noon call. Then the twins happened along, 


LADY ARABELLA RETURNS 231 

and fell over each other in their efforts to 
see who would reach Happyland first. Alys 
loved Barbara and Bertha; they were such 
dear, fat, funny little toddlers, and she en- 
joyed their quaint sayings. 

When the twins fell over each other, 
Alys ran at once to help them up, but 
Norma said quickly:— 

Oh! Those dreadful twins! They’ll 
spoil everything! ” 

Barbara and Bertha got on their feet 
again; but they had no sooner entered 
Happyland than they spied Arabella, and 
immediately made a rush for the doll. 

Me want big doll— big doll,” cried 
Bertha. 

No, me want big doll, that ith my doll,” 
roared Barbara. 

Now, when fat little twins want the same 
doll at the same time, there is apt to be 
trouble. Bertha snatched Arabella’s leg, 
and Barbara grasped an arm. For a second 
they pulled vigorously, then there was a 
tussle, and the twins fell to the ground and 
rolled over the great rag doll, screaming 
lustily. 


232 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


They’ll crush your doll, Jane,” cried 
Norma Norris; they’re just horrid! ” 

Bertha, Barbara, get up, please,” im- 
plored Alys. 

I muth det doll— my doll! ” roared 
Bertha. 

No, my doll,— det off my tummy, oo 
bad Bertha! ” roared Barbara. 

I eth want doll, tant oo find nozzer doll 
— dimme it! dimme it!! dimme it!!! ” 

Oh, Nora; please come out here, Nora; 
the twins are fighting terrible,” called 
Alys. 

‘‘ They’ll crush my child to death,” 
screamed Jane. 

Nora rushed out of the kitchen, and ran 
into Happyland, while Waggles barked 
and wagged his tail furiously. 

My! Oh! My! What’s all this? ” cried 
Nora. Look at thim twins, rollin’ and 
rollin’ over each other like two puppies! 
Get up! Get up wid ye! ” 

Nora had to separate the twins, and stand 
them on their feet, while Jane grabbed Ara- 
bella and held her close. 

<< Why, my goodness; but ye’re terrible 


LADY ARABELLA RETURNS 233 

twins/’ said Nora, looking down at the 
little trouble-makers, still panting. Two 
nice-looking little girls, like you, ought 
niver to fight. Why, what would yer 
mother say if she saw ye? ” 

Mother thay ^ naughty Bertha,’ ” 
lisped Barbara. 

No, no, mother thay ‘ naughty oo,’ ” 
roared Bertha, pointing a fat little fist at 
her sister. 

Now, luk here, all of ye,” cried Nora; 
if little girls fight, do you know what 
they’ll turn into? ” 

No,” answered the chorus of voices. 
^‘Well, then. I’ll tell ye. If little girls 
fight, they’ll turn into cats— so there! Now 
look out for yerselves.” 

Would they truly, Nora? ” asked Alys. 
Truly they would— an’ thim twins, 
there, would turn into little black kittens, 
an’ they’d scratch an’ bite each other— 
whist! look out! I thought I saw little 
whiskers cornin’ out o’ thim already! ” 
Where— Oh, where, Nora? ” 

Sthand back, all of ye; ’twouldn’t ^sur- 
prise me wan bit, if the claws came out on 


234 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

thim, an’ they turned into cats before me 
very eyes.” 

The twins were so impressed with Nora’s 
tones and attitude that they stopped 
screaming, and stood there, staring at the 
maid with round eyes of wonder. All at 
once something of Nora’s meaning began to 
dawn on their baby minds, and they set up 
a howl at the mere thought of so untimely 
a fate. 

I eth won’t be bad old cat,” screamed 
Bertha. 

At this point their nurse came running 
into Happyland, and, after many assurances 
that they would remain perfectly nice twins 
to the end of time, Barbara and Bertha, 
somewhat mollified, started for home. 

Now, Alys, for the love o’ Hiven,” said 
Nora, don’t call me from me work 
again. I’m that busy to-day, I’m seein’ 
double.” 

‘‘ No, I won’t, Nora; but guess who’s 
coming to-day? ” 

Is it a man, or just a moosician? ” 

It’s both, Nora. Now guess.” 

‘‘Well thin, I guess Do-re; but surely 


LADY ARABELLA RETURNS 235 

he’s hardly a man yet, darlin’. He’s only 
a great, big-hearted boy.” 

You like Do-re, now, don’t you, 
Nora? ” 

I do, darlin’. Time was whin I had me 
doubts o’ that same lad; but now I know 
that, like many another I’ve met in me 
time, he ain’t responsible for his hair! 
Some men try to comb what they haven’t 
got, an’ others don’t comb at all what they 
have any amount of,— which is the case o’ 
Do-re.” 

‘‘ I think Do-re’s hair is beautiful, Nora.” 

You do! Alys! Ah, if you ever saw 
my Tim, wid his hair cropped like a race- 
horse, an’ spick an’ span and iled till it 
shone, you’d know what a nate man looked 
like. But now I must run.” 

Alys and Jane and Norma proceeded to 
play with their dolls imtil it was time for 
the little visitors to go home. 


CHAPTER XIX 
A fiddler! 

TILL you take a walk up the high 
\/Y/ hill, Jane? asked Alys one af- 
ternoon. 

Yes, I will,’’ said Jane; but I can’t 
go now, for I must run to the store for 
auld Mazie.” 

‘‘ Well, I think I’ll take a little walk up 
there, Jane, and you follow when you can.” 

A short time later Do-re came out to 
Brightwood and, not finding his little friend 
in Happyland, he strolled along the path 
to Jane’s cottage. The little girl was sing- 
ing, like a bird, on the porch of the red cot- 
tage, and shelling peas for auld Mazie; but 
she stopped her pretty warbling long 
enough to tell Do-re that Alys had gone for 
a walk up the high hill to Professor 
Grayle’s. The young man looked very 
much surprised at this piece of news, and 
started off in the same direction. 

236 


A FIDDLER! 


237 


Now it SO happened that Alys had met 
the tall old man whose hat had blown 
away, in the very same spot where she had 
seen him on her first visit there. He was 
sitting on a stone, as if resting, and Alys 
went to his side at once. 

Good afternoon, sir,’’ greeted Alys. 
Ah— how do yon do, my little friend? ” 
I am very well, thank you, sir, and I 
have not forgotten what you said.” 

“ What did I say, child? ” 

You said the wind is air in motion; 
don’t you remember? ” 

Ah! very true, child. You have done 
well to remember.” 

But I used to think it was a big giant, 
you know.” 

No, child; no giants, no fairies— just 
plain facts! ” 

Do-re likes fairies and giants,” ven- 
tured Alys. 

‘‘ Do-re? YHio is Do-re? ” 

<< Why, he used to live up here, and he 
has a little reel in his head, with lovely 
stories and jingles wound all round it. 
Whenever I want a story he has only to 


238 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

unwind the reel— And here he conies 
now! Oh, goody! ’’ cried Alys, as she saw 
the familiar figure approaching. 

At the child’s words, the old man turned 
to look at Do-re, who was hurrying toward 
them. A curious change passed over his 
face. 

Adam,” said the Professor, rising ha- 
stily, what do you want here? ” 

Nothing, sir; nothing at all! I came 
for the child.” 

The child? Whose child is she? ” 

She is the child of one of my best 
friends; her father is my teacher.” 

‘‘Is it possible! A common fiddler!” 
muttered the Professor. 

“ A most uncommon one, sir,” fiashed 
Do-re. 

“ I am sorry to hear it,” said Professor 
Grayle. 

Alys looked quickly from the face of the 
one she knew and loved so well, to that of 
the stem old man. She wondered in her 
childish mind what was wrong. 

“ Come, Alys,” said Do-re; “ this is no 
place for you.” 


A FIDDLER! 


239 


Why do you say that? ’’ said the old 
man sharply. Do you think I would 
harm her? 

I am sure that you would not, sir.’^ 

‘ Sir! ’ ’’ echoed the old man. 

‘ Sir! ’ ” he repeated again and again. 

What is the meaning of this? Why do 
you address me as a stranger? ’’ 

Did you not forbid me to call you 
imcle? ’’ said Do-re hotly. When I left 
your house, did you not say that you were 
imcle of mine no longer? 

And who would not have said as much,’’ 
muttered the old man, as if speaking to 
himself. You had been given every ad- 
vantage to make something of yourself. 
You had given promise of being something 
worth while; and what are you now— you, 
my beloved sister’s only child? A fiddler! 
—I wonder you can look at me, Adam.” 

‘‘ I have done nothing disgraceful. Uncle 
John,” replied the young man warmly. 

I appreciate all that you did for me; but 
I am sure that my mother, had she lived, 
would never have tried to force me to do 
that which was so distasteful to me. I 


240 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

could not pretend to like what I had grown 
to hate. The life you had laid out for me 
grew unbearable. I am not fitted, either 
by ability or inclination, to follow in your 
foot-steps. I love music— I have always 
loved it; it is, to me, what your life work 
is, and always has been, to you! I may 
never accomplish, in my way, what you 
have, in yours; but I am going to try! ’’ 
The old man heard this passionate out- 
burst in silence. All the lines on his stern 
old face hardened; but his head dropped 
perceptibly. Something in the stooped 
shoulders and bowed head went straight to 
the heart of Do-re. 

Uncle John,’’ he burst out boyishly, 
forgive me— I am sorry to have caused 
you sorrow again— I should not have 
brought up the subject; indeed, I did not 
mean to come here at all.” 

The old man turned away without a 
word, and walked slowly toward the house. 

Come, Alys,” said Do-re bitterly, we 
must go.” 

The child put her little hand quickly in 
Do-re ’^, and walked away in silence. 


A FIDDLER! 


241 


No word was spoken until the high hill 
leading to Professor Grayle’s was far be- 
hind, then, searching the young man’s face 
for a brief moment, she asked quickly:— 
Are you sad, Do-re? ” 

Why do you ask, Alys? ” 

Because you look sorry.” 

Well, I ought not to look sorry, this 
glorious day, Alys, that’s sure.” 

You are not mad with Uncle John, are 
you? ” 

‘‘ No, Alys, I’m not mad at all; but I feel 
very sorry for him.” 

Alys was silent after this, turning over 
in her mind a childish doubt that had as- 
sailed it. 

‘‘ My father is a fiddler, isn’t he. Do-re? ” 
Your father is a great musician, Alys. 
He is a leader in his profession.” 

‘‘ Well, you are, too.” 

Not at all,” laughed Do-re. ‘‘ I am 
only a fiddler.” 

But it^s nice to be a fiddler, isn’t it. 
Do-re? ” 

Alys, dear, it’s better to be a happy 
fiddler than a very unhappy scientist; and 


242 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

that’s what Uncle John would have me. 
But here we are in Happyland! Let’s for- 
get all about that great, gray house on the 
hill; let’s be happy— 

* This world is so full of a number of things, 

I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings.' " 

I love your jingles, Do-re.” 

That is not one of my jingles, Alys; 
that was written by a genius, and he had 
one of the kindest hearts in the world. He 
preached the doctrine of happiness, and 
good cheer, and, what is better, practised 
it all the time, even when he suffered phys- 
ical pain.” 

What was his name? ” 

Robert Louis Stevenson; can you re- 
member that? ” 

I’ll try to remember it,” answered 
Alys. Did he write many pretty jingles. 
Do-re? ” 

‘‘ Indeed he did; he made pretty jingles 
for little folks, and he wrote wonderful 
stories for big folks. When you’re grown 
up you will love them, I’m sure.” 

Well, Do-re, you haven’t told me a 
story right off the reel for a long time.” 


A FIDDLER! 


243 


The reel refuses to work to-day, Alys. 
I don’t know why; but I’m afraid I 
couldn’t tell you a story.” 

Well, tell me a jingle, Do-re,— just a 
little jingle.” 

Toy-land is joy-land, 

Joy-land is fair; 

Glad children’s chatter 
Falls everywhere. 

Roses and rainbows, 

And birds — happy things — 

The wisdom of wonder. 

And sweet carollings. 

Little girls — pretty girls — 

Minding the dolls; 

Laddies all laughter 
Finding the balls. 

“ Mother Goose calls them: — 

^ Come — let’s away. 

Jump on your hobby horse; 

We’re off to-day.’ ” 


CHAPTER XX 

A TALK WITH THE PROFESSOR 

O NE afternoon Alys heard a step just 
outside of Happyland and, looking 
up from her dolls, she saw Pro- 
fessor Grayle in the woodland path that led 
to Jane’s cottage. With a bound Alys was 
out of the rustic tent, and never stopped 
running till she reached his side. 

Oh! Professor Grayle! I’m so glad to 
see you in our woods. Are you coming to 
call on mother? ” 

‘‘ No— no— I never make calls— I was 
just taking a walk.” 

‘‘ May I walk with you. Professor? ” 
Er— yes— yes, if you wish to do so, my 
child.” 

Let’s make believe we’re going some- 
where; just you and I. Isn’t it nice to have 
a little girl to walk with? ” 

For a moment the man stopped and 
looked curiously at the child, who had 

244 


A TALK WITH THE PROFESSOR 245 

placed one little hand confidingly in his, 
then his stern, old face softened and he 
smiled. A very human, kindly smile it 
was. 

Why should we have any ‘ make be- 
lieve ’ about it? ’’ he observed. 

Because,’’ flashed Alys, it’s such fun 
to make believe.” 

‘‘ Do you think it funny, child? ” 

Yes, I think it’s ever so much fun to 
make believe things. You haven’t any lit- 
tle boy or girl, have you? ” 

No, I have not.” 

^^Well, then, just for now, let’s make 
believe that I’m your little girl, and that 
we’ve been out for a lovely walk, and are 
on our way home.” 

‘‘ Well— what then? ” 

Why, then you might tell me a lovely 
fairy story.” 

‘‘ That is impossible, my child. I could 
not.” 

‘‘ Don’t you know any stories. Profes- 
sor? ” 

One kind of story, yes. I know facts, 
true stories that Nature has hidden about 


246 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

herself, and allows each and all of us to 
read, if we but take the time and have the 
patience; those are the kind of stories for 
you, child/’ 

They had now reached the foot of the 
great hill, and Professor Grayle stood for 
a moment and looked back. 

u There, my dear child,” he said, with a 
wave of his hand, there is a whole world 
of stories for you— plant life, and animal 
life— stories that are knowledge and treas- 
ure for youthful minds.” 

Alys did not understand the man’s mean- 
ing in the least; but, struck by his earnest 
tones, she lapsed into silence. Slowly they 
plodded their way up the great hill, till the 
very top was reached at last. 

‘‘It’s such a very steep hill that it’s hard 
to chmb,” ventured Alys. 

“ It is, child. The force of gravitation is 
pulling our bodies downward. Gravitation 
is a constant force; never forget that, my 
dear. A constant force is one whose action 
is all the time alike.” 

“I’m afraid I cannot remember all that, 
sir.” 


A TALK WITH THE PROFESSOR 247 

‘^Well, well, it will come in time; yon 
are very young. 

Were you ever young, Professor? ’’ 

Yes, indeed, my child. All forms of life 
pass through different stages, you know—’’ 

But you’re very old now, aren’t you. 
Professor? ” 

Yes, yes, I’m an old man now.” 

And, some day. I’ll be an old woman, I 
suppose,” said Alys, with such a quaint 
expression on her fair little face that any- 
body in the world, but Professor Grrayle, 
would have been very much amused. 

And I suppose,” she went on in her 
most serious way, ‘‘ that I’ll be just like the 
old woman who lived in a shoe. I’ll have 
so many children I won’t know what to do.” 

Professor Grayle stood and looked at the 
little girl over his great gold-bowed glasses; 
then he smiled. 

What is your name? ” he asked. 

My name is Alys, Alys Von Mayer.” 

‘‘Ah! German origin, I see.” 

“Where? Tell me where you see it. 
Professor.” 

“ You misunderstand me, child. I judge 


248 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


by your name that you are of German de- 
scent; that is to say, your father, or pos- 
sibly your grandfather, may have been 
German/’ 

My father was bom in Germany,” an- 
swered Alys, quickly; but I never had a 
grandfather.” 

“ Tut! tut! nonsense, my dear; of 
course you had a grandfather.” 

Are you quite sure. Professor 
Grayle? ” 

There is no doubt of it, my child; no 
doubt of it, at all.” 

Well, I never met him, and no one has 
ever mentioned him to me, not even Do-re.” 

There was silence between them, after 
this statement, a silence that was broken at 
last by the man’s unlocking the door of his 
great, gray mansion. 

Would— er— you care to come in, my 
child? ” asked the Professor, looking at the 
little girl in a pre-occupied way. 

‘‘ Have you any pictures in your house 
to show me. Professor? ” 

Why— er— yes— I have a few pictures; 
you may see them, if you would like to.” 


A TALK WITH THE PROFESSOR 249 

Oh! thank you,” cried Alys, dimpling. 
I just love to look at pictures. Sometime 
I’ll show you my mother’s beautiful, be- 
ootiful picture that I used to make believe 
was alive and talked to me. That was 
when I was Alys- All- Alone, you know.” 

^ Alys-All- Alone,’ ” repeated the old 
man. Why do you call yourself that, my 
dear? ” 

Oh! I don’t call myself Alys- All- Alone 
any more; but I used to call myself that 
when I lived alone with Nora and papa in 
the big apartment house.” 

Little by little Alys told the whole story, 
and the great Professor Grayle became in- 
terested, in spite of himself. But they had 
reached the drawing-room of that lonely 
house, and the Professor, followed by Alys, 
entered and opened wide the great win- 
dows, and drew aside the dark draperies, 
till the room was flooded with light. 

There were some very beautiful things in 
the great room, and on the walls hung sev- 
eral portraits of men and women who had 
lived and moved and had their being ” in 
an earlier century. Alys gazed at them 


250 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

with childish curiosity, as the Professor 
told her a little about them. 

This is a picture of my grandfather,’^ 
said the old man proudly, pointing to the 
portrait of a very dignified old gentleman 
in powdered periwig and gown. He was 
a judge, my child; a very learned and able 
one, at that.” 

But Alys never heard. She was staring 
at. the full-length portrait of a little boy, 
dressed in a black velvet suit, a beautiful 
lace collar around his neck, and deep lace 
cuffs on his sleeves. His thick, brown hair 
fell on the shoulders in curls, and there was 
a smile, half hidden in his gray eyes, that 
looked as if it had started in the cleft of his 
square chin. 

Oh! ” cried Alys, joyfully, how 
pretty! That dear little boy looks like 
Ho-re! Tell me all about him, please.” 

But the man, after a quick glance at 
the beautiful portrait, was strangely silent. 

Did this little boy live long, long ago. 
Professor? ” 

‘‘Ho, that portrait was painted a few 
years ago from the living model.” 


A TALK WITH THE PROFESSOR 251 

‘‘ Why, then, perhaps he’s alive! He’s a 
true little boy, is he? ” 

Yes.” 

Oh, goody! He’s such a dear little boy 
that I’d hke to talk with him. Was he— 
was he your little boy. Professor? ” 

The man did not answer. He stood with 
his back to the picture, and looked out of 
the window, and the child, who had turned 
suddenly to look at him, saw the hands that 
were folded behind tremble. The next 
minute he walked out of the room, leaving 
Alys standing alone before the picture that 
she called in her own mind Little Boy 
True.” 

I must tell Do-re about you,” said Alys, 
beaming on the portrait, as if it understood. 

I like you ever so much, and I wish that 
you could get alive, and step out of that 
frame, and come and play. I’m sure that 
you know fine games and lovely stories, for 
you look just like Do-re. I’m going to 
call you ‘ Little Boy True; ’ isn’t that 
pretty? ” 

The sound of a door opening caused Alys 
to turn quickly, to see the sweet-faced 


252 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

housekeeper, Mrs. McDowell, step softly 
into the room. 

‘‘My dear child,’’ said the woman, “I 
cannot have all these windows open like 
this; and the sun streaming in here will 
fade everything.” 

“ It was the Professor who opened the 
windows,” said Alys. 

“ Where is he now, my dear? ” 

“ He left the room,” replied Alys. “ I 
don’t know where he went.” 

“ Well, it is very near his lunch time,” 
observed the woman. “ I must find him.” 

“ Then I must go home,” said Alys. 
“I’ll have to hurry, too, if it’s near lunch 
time. Good-by, Mrs. McDowell. Good-by, 
good-by, Little Boy True,” she called to 
the beautiful picture. 


CHAPTER XXI 
A witches’ circus ” 

LYS ran down the great hill, and 



hurried through the woods. She 


reached Happyland at last, and flew 
over the hedge into the back yard, just in 
time to see Nora slam the door on a little 
old man with a pack on his back. 

^‘Oh! Nora, did you mean to slam the 
door on the gentleman? ” 

Yis! he was no gentleman; he was 
only a pedlar.” 

But, Nora dear, isn’t a pedlar a gentle- 
man? ” 

Some are and some are not. He wasn’t, 
annyway, for I tould him I didn’t want to 
buy, and he tould me I did, so I shut the 
dure on him— so there! ” 

But, Nora; you’re not cross, are you? ” 
^^’Not wid you, Alys darlin’l ” 


253 


254 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


Well, are you cross with anybody, 
Nora? 

Yis, I am! I’m cross with the worrld 
to-day.” 

Why, Nora? It’s just beautiful to- 
day. The sun is bright, and the birds are 
singing, and nothing around Happyland is 
cross.” 

AJi-h, ’tis well for you, darlin’,” sighed 
Nora, that everything is bright. I hope 
it may always be so. ’Tis a bright worrld 
for the likes o’ you, but it isn’t for me.” 

Oh, why, Nora? ” 

Never mind, darlin’; come in and eat 
your lunch.” 

But, Nora, I love you, and I want you 
to be happy. Won’t you please, please tell 
me Avhy it isn’t bright for you? ” 

Well, thin, Alys,” said the faithful 
Nora, dropping into a chair, I dun knoTv 
as it’s anny harm to tell. I feel as if I must 
tell some one. There’s been one disappoint- 
ment afther another, and now, when Tim 
had come to his senses, and everything was 
going along smooth for us, an’ there was 
good prospics ahead for me, I get worrd 


“A WITCHES’ CIRCUS” 255 

that he’s lost his good place, which means 
sorrow for him an’ no prospics for me! Oh, 
dear! Oh, dear! ” 

Nora began to cry softly, and Alys’s sen- 
sitive soul was stirred to its depths. 

Please, Nora, don’t cry. Tim will get 
work again— perhaps my father could get 
him something to do. Does he play any- 
thing, Nora? ” 

‘‘ What d’ye mane, Alys? ” 

I mean, does he play the violin, or the 
piano or—” 

He can play a Jew’s harp to the queen’s 
taste,” flashed Nora. 

Goody! I never heard a Jew’s harp; 
but I’ll tell papa about him; and Do-re, too. 
I’m sure they’d be interested.” 

No, no, darlin’; don’t mintion it. 
Playin’ music an’ the like is not the 
kind of work he’s fltted for, at all, at 
all.” 

Well, Nora, what kind of work is your 
Tim fltted for? ” 

Ah, thin! I wish I knew, Alys. He’s 
had his hand in manny a thing, but I do 
know that he’s handy ’round a place. He’s 


256 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

good wid horses, and lie understhands 
cows, an—” 

Oh, Nora, does he really? ” 

He does.” 

Well, Nora, please ask him what cows 
mean when they say ‘ moo-oo-o,’ will you? ” 

“ Och! Alys, you’re killin’,” and Nora’s 
troubles were forgotten for the moment, as 
she gave a peal of laughter. 

When lunch was over, Alys went out to 
meet Jane Lawrie. Jane had been to the 
store for auld Mazie, and was on her way 
back, a yeast cake in one little fist, and the 
great rag doll, Arabella, in her arms. 

‘‘I’ll go home with you, Jane,” said 
Alys, “ if you’ll let me carry Arabella.” 

“ Take her,” said Jane; “ but be careful 
she doesn’t run away. She was off last 
night! ” 

“ Do you mean that she ran away last 
night, Jane? ” 

“ Aye! Auld Mazie told me so this morn- 
ing.” 

“ Where did she go last night? ” asked 
Alys. 

To the Witches’ Circus! ” 


«A WITCHES’ CIRCUS” 257 

Oh-h,’^ breathed Alys; tell me all 
about it, please/’ 

But auld Mazie has not told me yet; 
she just told me that much; she said Ara- 
bella went off to the Witches’ Circus, that’s 
all.” 

Then let’s hurry, Jane, and ask her to 
tell us,” and Alys, scenting a new story, 
fairly flew over the path to the red cottage. 

They found auld Mazie gathering her 
mullein leaves, and she smiled at Alys, and 
said that it was ‘‘ guid to see two sich braw 
lassies.” 

Oh, Mazie,” said Alys, will you 
please tell us where Arabella went last 
night? ” 

‘‘ Aweel,” said the little old woman, 
dropping to a seat on a flat stone, it’s a 
verra naughty tale; I’m not sae sure it’s 
jest proper to tell yer! ” 

Oh-h, I’m sure that it is! ” cried Alys. 

We won’t tell a soul,” said Jane, ‘‘ will 
we, Alys? ” 

No, I won’t breathe it to anybody, ex- 
cept mother and Do-re,” returned Alys. 

Aweel, lass, it was like this. Last 


258 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

nicht, when everything was still, an’ the 
moon was jest rising over the edge o’ the 
wood, I heard a familiar cry outside my 
door:— 

‘‘ ‘ Me-ow — me-ow — me-oo, 

Are you in, A-roo? 

Arabella, me-ine, me-ine, me-oo/ ” 

I dropped the spoon— I was havin’ a 
wee bit o’ porridge— an’ I made believe I 
was asleep, and pretty soon Arabella, who 
had been lying limp in the corner, stands 
up, straight as a yard stick, and she smooths 
out her fine new skirts, and she tiptoes to 
the door. 

‘ Q-ood evening. Sir Thomas,’ says the 

doll. 

‘ Good evening, my dear Arabella,’ says 
the cat; ^ would you care to go for a 
ride the nicht? ’ asks the black cat, wi’ a 
bow. 

^ No, thank you,’ says Arabella. 

‘ What! Would you not like to go to 
the glen, where the fairies frolic the nicht? ’ 
‘‘Oh! she was coy, the jade, for she just 
twirled on her toes and shook her head. 


«A WITCHES’ CIRCUS” 259 

‘ Well, perhaps you would like to go to 
the flowers’ ball. As I came through the 
wood, I heard Jack-in-the-pulpit telling the 
violets about it.’ 

‘‘ ‘ I do not care a pin for the flowers’ 
ball! ’ declared Arabella. 

^ Well, then,’ said Sir Thomas, stroking 
his whiskers, and at his wits’ end to please 
her, ^ the only other festivity I know of the 
nicht is the Witches’ Circus; but I would 
na ask you to go to that.’ 

<< < Why not? ’ demanded that bold doll. 

‘ It’s no safe for a leddy,’ answered the 
gentleman cat. 

<< < I’m 22ot afraid to go,’ said Arabella, 
with a haughty toss of her head; ‘ are 
you? ’ 

‘ Not I,’ returned the cat; ^ but you, 
Arabella— you would na dare to go! ’ 

‘‘ ‘ Jest try me,’ flashed Arabella, wi’ a 
scornful laugh. ^ Is it me af eared o’ the 
auld witches? Na, na, not I.’ 

‘ But they have terrible times at their 
circus, Arabella; you never saw sech 
sights.’ 

^ Enough, Sir Thomas; I have always 


260 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

wanted to see the Witches’ Circus, and now, 
if you do not take me, I shall go alone.’ 

‘ Alone! Never! ’ cried Sir Thomas, 
gallantly. ‘ Never, while I have a leg to 
stand on! Come, Arabella, we’ll fly over 
the hills to the wild moor.’ ” 

Auld Mazie stopped to rub her knee, 
while her small audience waited very im- 
patiently. 

Are you going to tell us the rest? ” 
asked Alys. 

Aye! I’ll teU ye, lass; but flrst I must 
rub my knee; it’s that stiff wi’ trying to 
follow that bold doU.” 

But you did follow her, didn’t you, 
Mazie? You never let them go off alone, 
did you? ” breathed Alys. 

Aye, lass, I followed the pair o’ them, 
right through the woods, and over hill and 
dale, to the edge o’ the marsh. There I 
stopped, and I hid mysel’ behind a great 
rock. Oh! sechasight!” 

What was it, Mazie? What did you 
see? ” 

Well, flrst of all I see jack-o ’-lanterns 
arranged on both sides of a long passage. 


«A WITCHES’ CIRCUS” 261 

same as if the two sides o’ the street were 
hung wi’ lanterns—” 

‘^Yes! Yes! Go on, Mazie! ” 

Well, then, there was a great crowd o’ 
animals an’ birds an’ bats an’ queer auld 
fairies, all sorts and sizes, standing aboot. 
Pretty soon, I heard a cackling laugh, and 
something black appeared overhead. They 
all looked up to greet the auld witch woman 
who rides through the air on a broomstick, 
an’ down she flew in the midst o’ them. 

‘ Ho, ho, my hearties, ’tis a braw nicht 
for the witches,’ said the auld crone, an’ 
wi’ that, she mumbled some words that set 
them all a screechin’ wi’ laughter. It was 
like this:— 

Giver thee, giver thee, hoax to hoaxter; 

Riddle me, riddle me, reeds to wonder; 

Spike a peak for witches’ thunder; 

Double thee, double thee, break asunder.’ ” 

^ Now get in hne, my hearties, an’ we’ll 
march to the moor.’ Wi’ that she clapped 
her auld bony hands, once, twice, three 
times, an’ all the queer creatures fell into 
line, between the two rows o’ jack-o ’-lan- 
terns; and oh! sechasight! ” 


262 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

What was it? Tell us, Mazie.’^ 

‘‘ Aweel, lass; first of all, the auld witch 
jumped astride her broomstick an’ wi’ a 
cackling laugh, she headed the procession; 
and, after her, came witches, an’ goblins, 
an’ wicked auld fairies, an’ great, horned 
toads, walkin’ on their hind legs, an’ 
funny goats, dancing along, an’ owls, walk- 
ing on stilts, and cats, turning somersaults 
as they went. Crows and eagles rode on 
wild ponies, and monkeys sat on black pigs, 
and screamed ‘ get up! ’ as if they rode on 
horses.” 

‘‘Where was Arabella?” asked Jane. 

“ She and Sir Thomas jumped on the 
back of a great buffalo, at the very last of 
the procession.” 

“ What did they do, Mazie? ” 

“ Why, they screeched, and sang, and 
played wild music on reeds, and they beat 
auld witches’ cauldrons for drums,— you 
never heard sech a noise in all your life— 
an’, every now and then, the auld witch 
leader would turn on her broomstick, and 
face them all, an’ say some gibberish jin- 
gles that set them all in roars o’ laughter. 


‘‘A WITCHES' CIRCUS 


263 


At last they reached the wild moor, where 
the procession stopped. They hung up the 
great, black witches’ cauldrons, and built 
fires under them, and brewed some queer 
kind o’ drink, made o’ deadly night-shade 
and swamp roots; and then they were 
wilder than ever! The ponies reared up, 
an’ great giant horses stood on the tip o’ 
their tails; the monkeys jumped over the 
black pigs, and one little monkey landed 
head first in a hot cauldron! He screamed 
wi’ pain, which only made them screech wi’ 
mocking laughter. The great, horned 
toads played leap-frog, and the owls danced 
on their stilts! It was getting wilder and 
wilder, and the noise was louder, and the 
play was growing fiercer, all the time. 

I was safe behind the rock; but I got 
scared, at last, for, all at once, in the midst 
o’ the wild scenes, the jack-o ’-lanterns 
went out, and left the place in pitch dark- 
ness. 

‘ Ho, ho! my hearties, who’s afraid? ’ 
screeched the auld witch, an’ her laughter 
echoed down the glen. Then groans, an’ 
shrieks, an’ mocking laughter, and hisses, 


264 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

and every kind o’ dreadful sound went up 
together. You’d think the whole world 
was shrieking! ’Twas Bedlam let loose! 
’Twas Pandy Money Murder! 

I put up my hands to my ears, to shut 
out the din; but, all at once, I heard some 
one crying verra near, on the other side o’ 
the rock. I crept around to see, and there 
was Arabella, sitting against the rock, wi’ 
her eyes closed, and Sir Thomas fanning 
her wi’ his tall hat! Then he flew away, 
and got half a cocoa-nut full o’ water, and 
bathed her face, for she’d fainted dead 
away wi’ fright! 

At last she opened her eyes. ‘ Oh, Sir 
Thomas, take me home,’ says Arabella; 
^ I’ve had enough of the Witches’ Circus! ’ 

^ Quick, then, Arabella,’ says Sir 
Thomas, ‘ before they miss us! ’ 

Wi’ that she sat herself side-saddled, 
like a leddy, and off they started, an’ me 
after them; but, oh! oh! horrors! I had 
na taken flve steps when I heard the whole 
mad crowd after us! They had missed Sir 
Thomas and Arabella, and all were for 
chasing the bold doll, and bringing her 


“A WITCHES’ CIRCUS” 265 

back; but something was wrong wi’ the 
lights, and so, while the auld witch was 
callin’ to light up the jack-o’-lanterns, 
Arabella an’ Sir Thomas slipped away, and 
rode like mad over the moor. 

‘‘ I was sore, and my feet ached from 
rimning; but I got home at last. Of 
course she was home, before me, safe in 
her corner! You’d think she had never 
stirred out of it! But now, run awa’ and 
play, for I must go in and do my work. 
I’ve talked too much.” 

Oh! thank you, Mazie,” said Alys. 

I’ll never, never forget about the Witches’ 
Circus.” 


CHAPTER XXn 


“little boy true’' 

T he very next day, Do-re came out 
to Brightwood for his lesson, and, 
when it was over, he sat in Happy- 
land with his little friend; but he was so 
very quiet, and he looked at the dolls in 
such a preoccupied way, that Alys, at last, 
called him to account. 

Are you feeling unhappy, like Nora? ” 
“ Is Nora unhappy, Alys? ” 

“ Yes, she was dreadful unhappy yester- 
day, Do-re. 

“ What about, little girl? ” 

About Tim. He’s lost his good place; 
he’s out of work, and it’s a terrible disap- 
pointment. I wish that you could find 
work for Nora’s Tim.” 

“ I wish I could, Alys.” 

He can do lots of things. Do-re. He 
can play the Jew’s harp to the queen’s 
taste.” 


266 


“LITTLE BOY TRUE” 267 

Indeed! said Do-re, a suspicious 
break in Ms voice. What other accom- 
plishments has Tim? ’’ 

‘‘ He’s handy with other people’s things 
er— horses and cows, you know.” 

Do-re laughed immoderately. For a 
moment his own troubles were forgotten, 
and he beamed on his small companion. 

I’ll keep Tim in mind, Alys, and, if I 
hear of anything. I’ll let you know. I’d 
like to help Tim, because he seems to be- 
long to Nora.” 

And you like Nora, don’t you. Do-re? ” 

Yes, Alys. Nora is very impulsive; 
but she is kind to the core.” 

Do-re lapsed into silence after this re- 
mark, a silence that was very unusual in 
this cheerful youth. 

What’s the matter. Do-re? You’re not 
talking, or laughing, or anything.” 

“ I never felt less like either in my life, 
Alys.” 

why? ” 

“Oh! there are reasons, my dear.” 

“ Well, tell me about them, please. Do-re. 
Perhaps I can help you.” 


268 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

Thank you, Alys; but I’m afraid you 
cannot. You must know, first of all, that’ 
it will be impossible for your father to con- 
tinue to give me lessons; I have felt this 
coming for some time—” 

But, why. Do-re ^ Why cannot my 
father give you lessons, as he always did? ” 
Alys, your father is a great musician; 
he has already made a name for himself as 
a composer; he loves the work, and he 
needs every minute of his time for it; in- 
deed, Alys, he has been more than generous 
to let me come out here, so long, as his 
pupil.” 

And, if he cannot give you lessons. 
Do-re, does that mean that you are not 
coming out to Happy land any more?” 

Oh! not at all, Alys. I shall come out 
to see you; but not so often, of course.” 

I’m sorry to hear that. Do-re. I shall 
be turribel lonesome.” 

But you’ll have Jane, and all the new 
boys and girls out here—” 

And Professor Grayle,” put in Alys, 
hopefully. He’s my friend, too. I saw 
him this morning, walking in our woods. 


LITTLE BOY TRUE 


269 


and I went home with him, and he said that 
there was no doubt but what I had a grand- 
father— ’’ 

To Alys’s delight, Do-re’s sober face 
brightened, and he laughed at last, a great, 
boyish laugh it was. 

I would like to be present, Alys, when 
you are having a tete-a-tete with my 
uncle! ” 

I almost forgot he was your uncle. 
Do-re. Why don’t you go up to see him 
some time? ” 

I don’t think that he would care to see 
me, Alys.” 

Oh! yes! I am sure that he would, and 
he might show you all his pictures! He 
showed them to me, and one is a picture of 
a dear little boy— a true little boy— What’s 
the matter. Do-re; you look queer? ” 

It’s nothing, Alys; go on, and tell me 
about it.” 

Why, that’s all there is to tell, Do-re; 
but I just loved that picture.” 

Didn’t it look like anybody you know, 
Alys? ” 

<< Why, yes, it did! It looks like you. 


270 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


Do-re! Why, it is you! ” cried the child, 
a light beginning to dawn on her. ‘‘It’s 
your very own picture, painted when you 
were httle, like me! Isn’t it'? ” 

“ Yes.'” 

“ Oh, goody! I knew it! That’s why I 
liked it so much, I guess, and I called it 
‘ Little Boy True ’ when I heard it was a 
picture of a truly boy; wasn’t that queer. 
Do-re? ” 

“ That was pretty, Alys.” 

Do-re fell into a brown study after this 
remark; but Alys coaxed him for a jingle, 
and he gave her the following:— 

Little Boy Blue was a dreamer, 

And what did the Master call? 

^ Oh, little Boy Blue, come blow your horn, 

The sheep^s in the meadow, the cow’s in the corn; 

Be up and away, 

We^must work to-day. 

We must reap ere shadows fall.’ 

Little Boy True is a dreamer. 

And what does the Master say? 

* Oh, Little Boy True, there is work to do. 

The world has need of you. Little Boy True. 

Awake! for rights. 

And starry heights. 

Are won by work/ to-day! to-day! ’ ” 


“LITTLE BOY TRUE” 271 

What does that mean, Do-re? ” 

It means that I must not pine over any 
temporary loss, or brood over my disap- 
pointments; I must wake up and work, 
work, work! ’’ 

Would Uncle John help you? ” 

I^m afraid not, Alys.’’ 

‘‘ But he loves you. Do-re. 

Why do you think he loves a big, use- 
less fellow like me, Alys? ” 

Because no one could help loving you. 
Do-re; and your uncle would love you ’cause 
he has no little boy, you see, but you.” 

I used to be his little boy,” mused 
Do-re, sadly. 

Aren’t you now? ” 

‘^No.” 

Why? ” 

You would not understand, Alys. 
When you are older. I’ll tell you all about 
it, child.” 

‘‘ Well, would you like to be his little 
boy, Do-re? ” 

I think I would, Alys; for Uncle John 
has a kind heart, but— but he will have 
nothing to do with me! ” 


272 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

‘‘ Well, Do-re, you’d be kind to him, 
wouldn’t you; because, you know, he’s all 
alone up there? ” 

Yes, Alys, I would do anything in the 
world for him; anything except just one 
thing.” 

What is that? ” questioned the child, 
eagerly. 

Give up my music, — that I cannot 
do!” 

Alys was very quiet after this declara- 
tion. She did not understand it at all; but 
her childish heart told her that something 
was wrong, and it was better not to ques- 
tion Do-re further, because there was 
something in his face that made her feel 
very sorry for him. 

‘‘ I wish that your Uncle John had a little 
girl like me, or some small babies. He 
makes me think of Alys- All- Alone. Do. 
you think that he is lonesome, up there in 
that great house? ” 

‘‘ Not at all, Alys. Uncle John is never 
lonesome. He’s a very busy man. He 
studies and reads. He makes experiments 
in his scientific work, and he writes a 


“LITTLE BOY TRUE 


273 


great deal. No, indeed, my dear, Pro- 
fessor Grayle never felt lonesome in his 
life.’’ 

‘‘Well, I’m very glad to hear that. I 
thought, when there were no children, at 
all, up there, it must be lonesome. Oh! 
Do-re, wouldn’t it be queer if there were no 
children in the world? ” 

“Yes, it would be queer, Alys.” 

“ Suppose there were only grown folks, 
like Professor Grayle; no little peo- 
ple at all in the whole wide world? 
Would the world be lonesome, do you 
think? ” 

“ Lonesome! ” echoed Do-re. He laughed 
softly. 

“ That isn’t the word, Alys! I cannot 
conceive of anything so dreary. Here’s a 
jingle about it:— 

Suppose there were no children, 

Upon this green, old earth; 

No little lads to harry us, 

No lassies fair to marry us; 

Only just the old folks, full of wisdom and of worth. 

Methinks the skies would sadden. 

The very streams run dry, 

The pretty flowers would pall on us. 


274 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


The blight of blights would fall on us, 

And dear old mother Earth would have to close her 
eyes and sigh/^ 

Oil! Do-re, I do love your jingles! Tell 
me another, please! 

Little Master Question-box 
Climbed on father’s knee. 

^ Oh ! tell me why the moonlight 
Makes dimples in the sea? 

“ * Where’s all the stars in daytime? 

I’ve never seen one yet; 

Must they stay in on rainy nights, 

Because they might get wet? 

“ ‘ And, when the thunder rattles. 

Do giants break their dishes? 

And, if we walked the rainbow-track. 

Could we find all our wishes? 

‘ Why can’t I catch the birdies. 

That go up in the air? 

And why d(on’t folks have wings and things. 

To fly ’round anywhere? 

“ ^ How does Jack Frost make pictures. 

When I am snug in bed? 

Why does a camel have a hump? 

What makes the roses red? 


“LITTLE BOY TRUE” 


275 


“ ‘ Say, where does trouble come from? 

Who made us little boys? 

If you were little once, like me, 

Where’s all your little toys? 

“ ^ What’s greihter than the mountain high? 

What’s deeper than the sea? ’ 

* Oh ! little Master Question-box, 

Thy father’s love for thee! ’ ” 

It seemed to Alys that Do-re looked hap- 
pier after this effort, for he told her a dozen 
more merry jingles, and then played with 
Waggles until it was time to take the train 
for the city. 


CHAPTER XXni 

THE professor’s SPECTACLES 

FEW days later Alys climbed the 



high hill again. She was so tired, 


when she reached the top, that she 
sat on the lowest step of the wide veranda 
to rest. 

‘‘ I feel just like ^ Jack ’ in ^ Jack and the 
Bean Stalk,’ ” said she to her doll. Let’s 
make believe that this is a giant’s castle! ” 
The thought had no sooner flashed 
through her mind than she sprang up, 
mounted the wide steps, and tried to reach 
a great brass knocker. But, alas! she was 
not quite tall enough. 

I must get something to stand on,” 
said Alys; but she looked around in vain 
for a stone. Oh, dear! I wish I could And 
a good big stone,” said Alys, thinking 
aloud. 

What do you want with a big stone? ” 
asked a deep voice. 


276 


% 


THE PROFESSOR’S SPECTACLES 277 

Alys turned, and there was the Professor, 
standing behind her. 

I wanted to find a stone to stand upon, 
so that I could reach the knocker,’’ said 
Alys. 

Ah, I see. You cannot reach the 
knocker, my child. Well, I will reach it for 
you.” 

Oh! Thank you, sir,” said Alys, as she 
followed him up the steps. 

He knocked loudly several times, and 
then walked away without so much as a 
glance at the little girl and her doll. It 
was a long time before Alys heard 
some one unlock an inner door. If a 
little old woman comes,” thought Alys, 

it will be just like the giant’s 
castle.” 

But the woman who appeared was not 
little, and she was not very old. She was 
tall, with soft gray hair, and she looked at 
the child not unkindly as she asked her 
what she wanted. 

I thought I’d come in,” said Alys. 

You see, I made believe it was the giant’s 
castle.” 


278 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

I don’t understand, my child. Why did 
you knock so loudly? ” 

‘‘Oh! I didn’t knock at all,” said Alys; 
“ it was the Professor.” 

“ The Professor! Gracious me! ” ex- 
claimed the woman. “If he knocked for 
you,” she added in milder tones, “ I pre- 
sume he wanted you to enter. You may 
come in, child, if you wish.” 

“ Oh, thank you,” said Alys, “I’d like to 
show Vixen Uncle John’s house.” 

Alys grasped the doll a little tighter, and 
walked in; but, when inside the house, she 
found herself alone,— the woman had dis- 
appeared. 

At first Alys felt strangely out of place 
in that great, gloomy hall; but it was only 
for a moment, then all her childish confi- 
dence returned. Was it not Do-re’s Uncle 
John’s house? 

Alys tripped along until she came to an 
open door, and beyond was a great library, 
filled with books. The child had never seen 
so many books together in all her young 
life, and what interested her most was the 
fact that there was a ladder right at hand 


THE PROFESSOR’S SPECTACLES 279 

that looked as if it were frequently used to 
reach the ponderous volumes on the top 
shelves. 

My, what a lot of books! ” said Alys. 

But Uncle John can read every one of 
them, because he’s been to school,” she 
whispered to her doll. 

At this point a large gray cat walked into 
the room. Alys rubbed her back, and 
petted her; but, when the child held up her 
doll for pussy’s inspection, the gray cat’s 
tail went up in angry protest. Puss did not 
like strange dolls. 

You naughty cat to spit at my dolly! ” 
cried Alys, holding Vixen aloof. I’ll tell 
Uncle John about you.” 

Uncle John? ” said Professor Grrayle, 
who had entered the room. Who is your 
Uncle John? ” 

Professor Grayle is my Uncle John,” 
replied Alys, dimpling. 

Indeed! ” murmured the man. 

He is not my real, truly imcle, you 
know; but I just make believe he is.” 

Why do you do that, child? ” 

Because it makes me happy— don’t you 


280 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


see? This is just like the giant’s house, 
because it’s so big and far away and lone- 
some, on the top of a hill. And the Pro- 
fessor is the giant; but, if I make believe 
that the Professor is my uncle, why, then, 
this becomes a lovely castle and you are 
not like a giant at all! ” 

Tut-tut, too much nonsense these days, 
—not enough hard facts for youthful minds 
—moonshine— moonshine! 

Oh, goody! Won’t you please tell me 
some more about it— about the man in the 
moon, you know.” 

‘ ‘ Tut-tut-tut, child, —uninhabitable, —no 
water,— no atmosphere.” 

Dear little Alys did not understand in the 
least what the Professor meant; but she 
felt that any one who had so many books 
ought to know lovely stories. 

‘‘ Do you know any fairy stories? ” ven- 
tured Alys. 

‘‘ Fairies! Nonsense! There are no fair- 
ies.” 

Now, Do-re’s Uncle John, though a very 
wise professor, was a very foolish man. He 
could explain many wonderful laws of na- 


THE PROFESSOR’S SPECTACLES 281 

ture; but be did not understand the heart 
of a little child. 

Oh! How can you say that! ’’ cried 
Alys. Auld Mazie says there are, and, 
besides, it tells all about them in my Santa 
Claus book.^^ 

Tut-tut-tut— all nonsense,” cried the 
wise Professor. 

Perhaps you like Mother Goose bet- 
ter? ” ventured Alys. 

“ Rubbish! Romance! ” muttered the 
Professor. 

“ But, don’t you remember,” urged Alys 
gently, where the cow jumped over the 
moon ? ” 

But the Professor stood there, appar- 
ently lost in thought. Cow!— sea-cow, — 
that reminds me,” murmured he and, with- 
out a word, he turned and left the li- 
brary. 

Alys put her doll on the library table, 
and opened some of the books; but they 
did not have any pretty pictures, only 
strange maps and charts, and, after awhile, 
Alys grew tired of them, and walked out of 
the room. She entered a long, narrow pas- 


282 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

sageway, at the end of which was a door, 
partly open. 

This house has lots of rooms,” said 
Alys. ^^111 just take a peek in this one.” 

The first thing Alys noticed, when she 
entered the room, was a pair of great spec- 
tacles on a small table. 

Uncle John has forgotten his glasses! ” 
said Alys, taking them in her hand. I’ll 
bring them to him.” 

She was on the point of doing so, when 
her eyes fell on a star-fish, resting on a 
shelf. 

What a dear little star-fish! ” ex- 
claimed Alys. ‘‘I’ll put on Uncle John’s 
glasses and make believe I’m a great pro- 
fessor.” 

I am afraid the frolicsome fairies were 
playing a trick on Alys, because, no sooner 
did she put on the Professor’s spectacles, 
than the most wonderful change occurred. 

The pretty little star-fish assumed the 
proportions of a great octopus, and Alys 
was so frightened that she quickly took off 
the glasses and stared in wonder. 

“ Oh! What a dreadful-looking thing! ” 


THE PROFESSOR’S SPECTACLES 283 

cried the child, backing away as far as 
possible from the harmless little star- 
fish. 

But it’s only a star-fish,” said Alys, to 
reassure herself, and once more she put on 
the glasses. Again the dreadful octopus 
was before her, and off came the glasses 
with a jump. 

Just then she spied a bottle, filled with 
water, on the table. 

That’s nothing but a bottle of water,— 
I’m not afraid of that,” said the little girl, 
and again she clapped on the Professor’s 
spectacles. 

But, horrors! As Alys looked through 
the glasses, the bottle became as large as a 
tub, and right in the centre was a strange, 
black monster, with two little eyes and a 
tail, swimming around. The glasses were 
pulled off in a second, and poor little Alys 
began to cry. 

Now I know why Uncle John doesn’t 
like the beautiful fairies,” she said. ‘‘It’s 
all on account of these horrid spectacles,— 
they make him see dreadful things.” 

She ran out of the study, and down the 


284 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


long passageway, till she reached the front 
door, still holding the Professor’s glasses. 

‘‘I’m glad I’m out of the house,” said 
Alys. “ That room was just filled with 
monsters. I’m not afraid out here.” 

Alys skipped down the steps and walked 
along till she came to a pretty rustic bench. 
“I’ll sit here and rest awhile,” thought the 
child. 

Now a certain plump little caterpillar 
was taking a walk across that very bench, 
and Alys happened to see him. On went 
the spectacles, and up jumped Alys! 

The little caterpillar had turned into a 
brown, furry snake, and the child ran as 
if for dear life. She tried to take off the 
glasses; but they would not come, and she 
hurried on. Some daisies that grew in her 
path looked like immense sunflowers, and 
their beautiful white petals were swarming 
with black bugs. 

Suddenly she came upon a gray maltese 
monster, curled up asleep in a corner of the 
garden. Of course it was the Professor’s 
own pussy; but she never recognized him, 
and ran on, more frightened than ever. 



SUDDENLY SHE CAME UPON A GRAY MALTESE MONSTER.” 


WlAKi.HKE-.-~, 





V 




THE PROFESSOR’S SPECTACLES 285 

A cow, dozing near a hedge, became a red, 
horned monster, and Alys fled in terror. 
Suddenly, a giant appeared in the path be- 
fore her; he was staring on the ground, to 
the right and left, and never saw the little 
girl, who ran behind some bushes, almost 
frightened out of her wits. As he came 
nearer Alys recognized Professor Grayle; 
but she was so thoroughly frightened, since 
he had turned into a giant, that she dared 
not call, or make her presence known. 

When he had passed, she emerged from 
her hiding-place, and ran down the hill and 
into the woods. 

At last, thoroughly tired, she threw her- 
self on the ground imder a great oak tree, 
and cried herself to sleep, with the Pro- 
fessor’s spectacles on her dear little nose. 

When Alys was fast asleep the good fair- 
ies removed the spectacles and put them in 
her lap. They felt so sorry to think Alys 
had looked through the ugly glasses that 
they kissed her pretty eyelids, and whis- 
pered a beautiful dream in her little pink 
ears. 

They placed her on a swing, made of a 


286 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


single, silver spider thread, suspended be- 
tween two trees, and Alys swung her feet 
while the fairies sang: 

“ ^ Where the bee sucks, there lurk I, 

In a cowslip’s bell I lie. 

There I crouch where owls do cry; 

On the bat’s back I do fly, 

After summer merrily. 

Merrily, merrily shall I live now 

Under the blossom that hangs on the bow.’ ” 

The song was followed by a merry dance, 
and Alys watched the fairies with delight; 
but, in the midst of the dancing, a strange 
footstep was heard approaching. In the 
twinkhng of an eye every fairy disap- 
peared. Alys’s silver swing broke in the 
middle, and she found herseK under the oak 
tree, with the Professor’s spectacles in her 
lap. She looked up, and there stood Pro- 
fessor Grayle smiling down at her. 

My dear child, how did you get 
here, and what are you doing with my 
glasses? ” 

Alys looked at the glasses in her lap, and 
two big tears rolled down her cheieks. She 
began to cry bitterly, and Do-re’s Uncle 


THE PROFESSOR’S SPECTACLES 267 


John sat beside the little girl, and tried to 
comfort her. 

Don’t cry— don’t cry, don’t cry,” said 
the great man, over and over. 

Oh! Uncle John,” sobbed the little girl, 
I know now why you don’t like the beau- 
tiful fairies! It’s all on account of these 
horrid spectacles.” 

Then she told him all about her adven- 
ture, and questioned him between sobs and 
tears. 

That dear little star-fish isn’t a great, 
creepy thing, is it. Uncle John? ” - 

No, dear— no, dear! ” declared the Pro- 
fessor. 

And you don’t keep black monsters in 
bottles of water, do you? ” 

No, no, no, no,” cried the great 
man. 

You’re not a wicked giant; you do like 
fairies, don’t you. Uncle? ” 

Yes I do-I do!” 

Mother Goose isn’t rubbish, is she? ” 
pleaded Alys. 

Not at all— Mother Goose is a dear old 
lady! ” 


288 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

And Santa Claus,— say he’s good, too,” 
coaxed the child. 

“ He’s a splendid fellow! ” exclaimed the 
old man. 

Oh! I’m so glad to hear you say so,” 
cried Alys, and she cuddled up closer to the 
great Professor, and put her little hands 
confidingly in his. 

There is a man in the moon? ” ques- 
tioned Alys, suddenly. 

‘‘ N—er— there is, there is, my child; and 
a lady, too; and baby stars, and— and— all 
that sort of thing, my dear! ” 

Oh, goody! goody! ” cried Alys. 

Do-re’s Uncle John smiled at the eager 
little face that looked into his, full of con- 
fidence. The touch of childish hands sent a 
thrill through the great Professor. He felt 
twenty years younger, and forty years 
happier. A strange something crept into 
his heart, and stole up to his busy 
brain. Something was at work, brush- 
ing away dusty old facts, and, under- 
neath, bright fancies made themselves 
known. 

You are the best uncle in the world,” 


THE PROFESSOR’S SPECTACLES 289 

said Alys, smiling and happy, and I know 
now why Do-re loves you.’’ 

Do you think he loves me, Alys? ” 

Oh, yes! ” 

Tell me why you think er— the one you 
call Do-re loves me, my child.” 

“ Well, he loves you because he just 
wants to love you, don’t you see? You’re 
his Uncle John, so, of course, he wants to 
love you; and, besides, he told me that he 
did, and that he’d like to be your little boy 
again.” 

Are you— are you very sure of this, 
Alys? ” 

‘‘Yes, Professor, I’m very sure. He told 
me that one day, not very long ago, and 
Do-re always tells the truth, you know.” 

The Professor received this bit of infor- 
mation in silence; but there was a look in 
his deep-set eyes that Do-re had never seen. 

“ You are not sorry that Do-re wants to 
love you, are you? ” ventured Alys. 

“ No.” 

“You’d like to see him sometimes, 
wouldn’t you? ” 

“ Yes— very much.” 


290 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

Well, then, Uncle John, why don^t you 
invite him to dinner? ’’ demanded Alys. 

It would be gust be-ootiful.’’ 

Do you think so, Alys? ” 

Yes, I am sure of it, and— and please 
have ice-cream, because he’s very fond of 
it.” 

I’ll do it, Alys! I had quite forgotten 
to invite him, you know; but, if you think 
it is not too late—” 

‘‘Oh! it’s never too late to ask a boy to 
dinner. Professor—” 

“ I think you’re right, my child, quite 
right.” 

“ And if you only had a Waggles! ” cried 
Alys with enthusiasm. 

“ A Waggles! What might a Waggles be, 
Alys? ” 

“It’s a dog, of course. Do-re just loves 
them.” 

“ What! for dinner! ” 

“Oh! gracious, no,” laughed Alys. “ He 
doesn’t eat puppies.” 

The great Professor chuckled, and then 
laughed the merriest laugh that had issued 
from those learned lips in many, many 


THE PROFESSOR’S SPECTACLES 291 

moons. That laugh sealed the child’s con- 
fidence forever. 

Here’s your spectacles, Uncle John; I 
don’t believe they’ll ever make you see 
wrong again.” 

He took them in silence, and placed them 
carefully in his coat pocket. 

‘‘ Alys,” he said softly, ‘‘ my spectacles 
were blurred and dim; but they have been 
washed in the tears of a little child’s faith. 
I hope I shall see better now.” 

Then he arose and, taking the child’s 
hand in his own, walked through the wood- 
land path till he left her safely in Happy- 
land. 


CHAPTER XXIV 


THE COSEY SISTERS ” 

FEW days later, Alys was playing 



with Waggles when, all at once, that 


active little creature let out a bark 
of joy, and raced out of Happy land. 

Now, where is he running to, I won- 
der? ’’ said Alys. 

At this point she heard a familiar call, 
and, looking out, beheld Do-re just turning 
into the yard, while, at every step he took. 
Waggles tried to jump over his head. 

Oh, goody! cried Alys, by way of 
greeting; it isn’t your lesson day,— we 
never expected you, you know.” 

I didn’t expect to come out here at all, 
to-day,” answered Do-re, dropping to a seat 
on the rustic bench, and I can’t stop a 
minute, because I’m on my way up to Uncle 
John’s.” 

Oh, goody! ” cried Alys. I’m so 


292 


“THE COSEY SISTERS 


293 


glad that you are going to see your dear 
Uncle John at last/’ 

Do-re smiled down at her; he looked 
radiantly happy. 

Something very unusual has happened, 
Alys. I don’t know what to make of it; but 
this morning I got a letter from Professor 
Grayle. He wants to see me to-day; in 
fact, he has invited me to dinner up 
there.” 

‘‘ There! I knew it! ” cried Alys. ‘‘ I 
hope he’ll have ice-cream, and oh, goody! 
he’s not mad with you any more, is 
he? ” 

I don’t dare say, Alys. Uncle John is 
peculiar, and he has always been as firm as 
a rock— adamant is soft compared to the 
strength of his— decisions— therefore, my 
child, I do not look for any change in him; 
but the tone of his letter has made me 
happy and hopeful.” 

I’m happy, too, Do-re, because you are 
going to see your uncle. All boys ought to 
go and see their uncles some time, you 
know.” 

Yes, I know, Alys; but you mustn’t 


294 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

forget that I would have gone, long ago, but 
for the fact that Uncle John, himself, for- 
bade it/’ 

Isn’t that queer! ” exclaimed the child. 

I don’t understand it at all! ” 

You are too young, my dear, to grasp 
the significance of it; but here’s the story 
in a nutshell. 

Once upon a time there was a beautiful, 
high-spirited girl, who fell in love and mar- 
ried a dreamer. I mean by that, my dear, 
that he was not a practical man of affairs. 
He loved music passionately, and some- 
times, alas! he wrote sonnets. He was the 
soul of honor, little girl; but he could not 
earn enough to support his wife and baby. 
Sickness came, and, at last, he had to ac- 
cept aid from his wife’s wealthy brother, 
who had never liked him. 

‘‘ Well, my dear, the poor dreamer died, 
and his wife and baby boy went to live with 
that rich brother, and he was very kind to 
them, for he had always loved his beautiful 
sister. But she was not very happy; she 
brooded over the loss of her husband,— their 
love had been ideal,— and, at last, she pined 


“THE COSEY SISTERS” 295 

away and died in the house of her brother, 
leaving him her little boy. 

It was a gloomy house for a lonely little 
lad; but he managed to have a fairly happy 
time until, one day, his uncle came upon him 
playing on an old violin that had belonged 
to his father. Little things had passed that 
showed the child his uncle did not care for 
the beautiful music, and so the little fellow 
had gone away by himself into a room, and 
shut himself in, to play the music that he 
loved. But, lo! his uncle burst into the 
room and, when he found the boy playing 
on his father’s old fiddle, he flew into a rage, 
snatched the old fiddle from the child’s lit- 
tle hands, and broke it in pieces. 

Well, Alys, that little boy had a temper, 
and he behaved badly, very badly indeed; 
and the upshot of it was that the seeds of 
doubt and distrust were sown in that boy’s 
mind. 

‘‘ He grew up in that lonely house with 
his stern uncle; he tried to be obedient; 
he studied, though he loathed the subjects 
that his uncle forced him to study. He had 
tutors. He went to college. He did his 


296 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

work pretty well, but the day came at last 
that he stood up bravely and honestly, and 
told his uncle that he was going to study 
music. Then the old man grew very angry. 
He told the boy to go from his sight for- 
ever. That is all, Alys. I was that little 
boy, and Professor Grayle was the man. 
Do you understand now, Alys? ’’ 

“ I think I do. Do-re, and I’m very 
sorry.” 

Cheer up, little girl; it will all come 
out right, I’m sure; and, in spite of it all, 
I have always loved my uncle, for he has 
many admirable qualities. I wish that I 
were like him.” 

Oh! I’m so glad that you are not,” 
flashed Alys. ‘‘ I’m glad that you are just 
like yourself.” 

Do-re laughed merrily at this wise re- 
mark, and then arose to take his leave. 

Be sure and come out to see me very 
soon, and tell me all about your visit to 
Uncle John, won’t you. Do-re? ” 

Indeed I wiU, Alys. I’ll tell you every- 
thing.” 

A short time later, when her mother came 


“THE COSEY SISTERS” 297 

into Happyland, Alys told the good news 
that Do-re had gone up the great hill to 
visit his uncle. To Alys’s surprise, her 
mother seemed to know all about it, for she 
said quickly:— 

Last night, when you were sound asleep 
in bed, Alys, we had a visit from Professor 
Grrayle. He came to see your father about 
Do-re’s music. We are very happy, indeed, 
that the stern old man has relented at last, 
because we know Do-re, and we think so 
much of him.” 

Oh, goody! goody! ” cried Alys. Per- 
haps Do-re will go back to live with 
his uncle in that great house, and it will 
never seem like the giant’s castle again, and 
we’ll have such good times! I’ll go up 
there, and Do-re’ll come down here and—” 
“ There, Alys! ‘ don’t run away wid 
yourself,’ as Nora would say,” laughed Mrs. 
Von Mayer. Don’t go building air-castles 
yet, for no one knows what his uncle’s plans 
are in regard to Do-re. Here’s Jane, sing- 
ing as usual. Don’t stop singing, little 
bird,” said Mrs. Von Mayer, when Jane’s 
clear, childish treble had ceased, and, ta- 


298 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

king up the tune, Alys’s mother sang the 
old Scotch song to the end. 

Ah! ” said Jane, wistfully; when I’m 
big I want to sing like that.” 

You’ll sing better than that,” said Mrs. 
Von Mayer, for you have a really wonder- 
ful voice, Jane. And now, children, I’m 
going to leave you both in Happyland, 
while I go into the house for my sew- 
ing.” 

But you’re coming back, mother, aren’t 
you? ” 

Yes, Alys, I’ll be back very soon, and 
I can watch your play all the afternoon, 
while I sew.” 

Why didn’t you bring Arabella? ” 
asked Alys, when the children were alone. 

I didn’t bring her because she was 
naughty,” said Jane. Oh! she was awful 
wicked, last night! ” 

‘‘ What did she do, Jane? ” 

Well, just wait till I tell you about 
it. You know how lovely and white and 
clean she was, since she came from 
Dorothy’s? ” 

Yes— yes! ” 


‘‘THE COSEY SISTERS” 299 

‘‘ Well, Alys, last evening, when auld 
Mazie was getting supper, she stepped on 
Arabella’s face. I forgot to look at it, then; 
but auld Mazie said it didn’t make a speck 
on Arabella. Well, then, last night, when 
I was in bed asleep, auld Mazie was sit- 
ting at the window, and pretty soon she 
heard some little steps, and then some little 
knocks, and a little thin voice said, ‘ Ara- 
bella, Arabella, come out and play with us; 
come and make mud pies with us.’ 

“ With that, auld Mazie saw Arabella 
jump up, and tiptoe to the door, and there 
stood three little, cunning, rag dolls, with 
clean tiers on, and sunbonnets. 

“ ‘ Why! it’s the Cosey Sisters, as I 
live! ’ cried Arabella. ^ Yes, I’ll go with 
you at once ! ’ 

Well, then, Arabella went off with those 
three dear little live dolls, and auld Mazie 
followed them every step of the way, and 
guess where they went! ” 

Oh! I never could guess, Jane! ” 

Well, Alys, they went straight to a mud 
pile, behind a little house in the woods. 
Auld Mazie says that you can’t find the 


300 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

house in daytime, ’cause it’s a fairy house; 
but they played nearly all night, making 
mud pies on a bench. What do you think 
of that! ” 

The naughty doll,” cried Alys; ‘‘ and 
she was so nice and clean, and looked 
so beautiful with all those lovely clothes 
that Mrs. Clover made! But, oh! Jane, 
wouldn’t I just love to see them! ” 

Yes, I would, too! Auld Mazie said 
that the Cosey Sisters were so cunning. 
There was Rosey Cosey, and Posey Cosey, 
and J osey Cosey, and they played lovely till 
the clock struck twelve; then they dropped 
everything, and hurried into the little 
house, and Arabella came home. But, my! 
you should see her face this morning! 
There’s a big black daub on it; so I just 
spanked her, and left her at home, when I 
came over here to play.” 

Are you sure, Jane, that auld Mazie 
did not make that daub when she stepped 
on Arabella’s face? ” 

‘‘ That’s just what I thought, Alys, till 
auld Mazie told me all about the mud pies 
and the Cosey Sisters.” 


“THE COSEY SISTERS” 301 

‘‘Well, Jane, please go home and get 
Arabella; I want to see her. I don’t care 
if there is a black daub on her face; I just 
love Arabella.” 


CHAPTER XXV 

GOOD NEWS 

T he very next day Do-re came to 
Happyland, and found the two lit- 
tle girls playing house ’’ in the 
rustic tent. 

‘‘ May I sit beside you, Arabella? ’’ said 
Do-re, addressing the great, rag doll. 

Yes, you may,’’ replied Jane quickly. 
Arabella can’t talk now, you know; she 
only gets alive and talks at night.” 

Indeed! Has she been alive lately, 
Jane? ” 

Yes, she went off and made mud pies 
and played in the woods all night with the 
Cosey Sisters.” 

The Cosey Sisters! ’ It sounds good, 
Jane.” 

And they’re awful cunning. Do-re. 
There are three little sisters, Rosey, Posey, 
and Josey. Auld Mazie saw them playing 
with Arabella.” 


302 


GOOD NEWS 


303 


Bless that dear Scotch mist,” mur- 
mured Do-re, and he laughed joyously. 

I know why you look so happy to- 
day,” said Alys, suddenly. You went to 
dinner at Uncle John’s yesterday, didn’t 
you? ” 

Yes, I did, Alys.” 

Oh! what did he say? You promised 
to tell me, you know.” 

a There really isn’t very much to tell, 
Alys, because Uncle John said very little. 
He asked me a few questions about my 
music, that is all. I think, though, that he 
is interested, for he spoke of your father’s 
views. It seems he had been to see your 
father about it. But I’m very happy, Alys, 
for I hated to be at odds with my uncle, 
whom I always knew was a mighty good 
uncle at heart.” 

Oh! I’m so glad that you are good 
friends again,” said Alys. 

So am I, and he seems like a different 
man. He talked of you, Alys. He called 
you his ^ little friend; ’ think of that! I 
never knew Professor Grayle to notice a 
child before; not that I wonder at his 


304 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

friendship for you,— seeing it was you,— and 
yet, knowing the man as I know him, it was 
a happy surprise. Ah! Alys, I believe that 
there never was a human heart not suscep- 
tible to the sweetness and loveliness of a 
little child! I feel that I owe it all to you, 
my dear; I think you have made my Uncle 
John— human. And now, before I forget it, 
here’s another bit of good news. The Pro- 
fessor wants Nora’s Tim! ” 

Oh-h! ” exclaimed Alys, a note of 
alarm in her voice, he doesn’t want to 
study Tim, does he? ” 

Perhaps,” laughed Do-re. 

Oh! he must never put Tim in that 
room where all those creepy things are! ” 
No, dear, I’m sure he never will. He 
wants to see Tim because he’s thinking of 
employing a man to help about the place. 
His man, Pratt, who has looked after things 
up there for many years, is getting quite 
feeble; he needs a younger man to help 
him. Uncle John told me about it, and I 
thought at once of Nora’s friend, and I 
spoke for him. I must go in now and tell 
Nora to notify Tim at once,” 


GOOD NEWS 


305 


Oh! Nora ’ll be just as happy as ever, 
when she hears that,” cried Alys. 

‘‘ Isn’t Do-re just the dearest big boy in 
the world! ” she exclaimed, when the two 
little girls were alone. 

Yes, he is,” returned Jane, in a matter- 
of-fact voice. I think I’ll marry him, 
when I’m big.” 

Oh! no, you can’t! ” flashed Alys. 

Well, why? ” 

“ Because, Jane, Do-re belongs to me! ” 

Why, Alys! he doesn’t belong to you 
at all— Do-re just belongs to himself— how 
could he belong to you? ” 

‘‘ Because he knew me ever so long ago, • 
and he found me when I was Alys-All- 
Alone,— and— and he’s always been my 
friend,— and— and he made me the Castle 
of Sunshine and ever so many things;— of 
course he belongs to me.” 

Here he is, coming back! I’m going to 
ask him,” declared Jane. 

‘‘ Do-re,” she cried, before that young 
man could put a foot in Happyland, do 
you belong to Alys? ” 

‘‘ What’s this? ” asked the astonished 


306 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


youth, looking at the two little maids in a 
puzzled way. 

“ Jane said, just now, that she was going 
to marry you when she grows up,” declared 
Alys; but I said no, because you belong 
to me.” 

Oh! girls, this is so sudden! ” cried 
Do-re, dropping into a seat beside Arabella, 
and not only sudden, but premature,— 
down-right premature,” he added. 

Well, even if you do belong to Alys,” 
said Jane in her serious way, ‘‘ I might 
marry you. But then, of course, I might 
not; I might change my mind, you know.” 

<< Very true, Jane; young ladies have 
that privilege.” 

But, Do-re,” said Alys quickly, you 
are going to live with me in a great, big, 
beautiful castle; you are going to be a real 
prince, and I am going to be a real princess; 
—please don’t forget. Do-re.” 

I’ll not forget, Alys. And now, since 
I have only a few minutes to spare,— I’m on 
my way up to Uncle John’s again,— tell me 
what you want me to do, children.” 

Tell us a story! ” said Jane. 


GOOD NEWS 


307 


A jingle-story,” added Alys, like ^ Sir 
Thomas Cat,’ or ‘ The Funny Goats ’ that 
you told me about when I was Alys- All- 
Alone.” 

Then here’s a jingle-story about ^ Billy 
Bull Frog 

In a pond, in, the meadow, still as a mouse, 

Big Billy Bull Frog built him a house. 

It was all slippy, sloppy as it could be; 

But he didn’t mind it a bit, you see. 

And he was as ‘ comfy ’ as you please. 

When he sat down to take his ease. 

For a mail-box he had a pond-lily, tall, 

A toad-stool umbrella adorned his hall. 

With a reed for his flute, he played all night, 

And he sang to the stars till morning light. 

A jolly good fellow was Billy, my dears. 

But, alas! life is made up of joys and of fears. 

His pleasures were simple; he hopped and he sang. 
Till all the green woods with his melodies rang. 

He played leap-frog with his mother-in-law. 

Which proves his a nature without the least flaw. 


308 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


Oh! Billy was clever, and Billy was wise, 

But one day, alas! he’d a sad, bad surprise. 

H© was hurr3dng over a moss-covered log, 

To a hop at the home of Miss Fair Fanny Frog, 

When, all of a sudden, he heard a loud noise; 

He stayed very still — Billy never lost poise. 

Tf this is a Frenchman, Pm done for,’ he said. 

As he crept ’neath the log to hide his fat head. 

Now Alphonse was resting on that very log. 

When his eye chanced to light on Billy Bull Frog. 

*Ma foil what a find! ’ He jumped from his seat. 

^ Fried frogs’ legs for dinner ! M on Dieu! what a treat ! ’ 

Then he opened his bag, and he threw Billy in. 

And he went^on his way with a satisfied grin. 

Poor Billy felt wretched, as any poor sinner 
Invited to be the chief dish at a dinner. 

As he rolled in the bag, he scratched his poor pate, 
And gave himself up to his terrible fate. 

Now Bill had a friend who lived near his house, 

A smart little lady. Miss Bella Field Mouse. 

Miss Bella was going to market that day. 

When she overtook our two friends on the way. 


GOOD NEWS 


309 


She saw the lean Frenchman, the bag on his back; 

She heard a voice croak, — ^ alas! and alack! ^ 

^ Good gracious! Why, I know that voice,’ murmured 
Bella. 

‘ Poor Bill’s in the bag; that is tough on a fellar. 

I must save him,’ she said, ^ from those naughty 
French Yeggs. 

Cheer up, Billy Bull Frog; he sha’n’t have your legs.’ 

She whispered it low, but Billy inside. 

He heard her, and it nearly burst him with pride. 

She followed and, when the man’s footsteps did lag. 
She took a small jump and she lit on the bag. 

He felt something move, and he looked all around. 

For a minute he laid the big bag on the ground. 

‘ Ah! now is my chance,’ said the brave little mouse. 
As she clawed and she gnawed at the frog’s prison- 
house. 

She made a wee hole; but larger it grew. 

Till her friend, Billy Bull Frog, could just wiggle 
through. 

‘ Now fly, Billy dear, do not stop on the way; 

Run home to your mother, without more delay! ’ 

As the smart little field mouse scampered along, 

She heard the lean Frenchman humming a song. 


310 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


‘ Ha-ah ! Mr. Man, you^ll be home very soon, 

And then you will sing a far different tune! ’ ” 

Is that all? ’’ cried the two little listen- 
ers in one breath, when Do-re had finished. 

That is all for to-day, my dears. An- 
other time Idl tell you more about Billy 
Bull Prog.’’ 

And Bella Field Mouse, too? ” 

Yes, Bella, too; and Pair Fanny Prog; 
and Oliver Owl; and all the rest of them.” 
“ Oh, goody! ” 

But now, I must away to climb the 
great hill, for Uncle John wishes to see me; 
good-by, children.” 

Good-by, Do-re, good-by I ” 


CHAPTER XXVI 

A REEL AND A RIDDLE 

O NE morning, about a week later, 
Alys ran to kiss her father and 
mother, before they hurried for the 
train that was to take them to the city. 

Be a good girl, Alys,” said Mrs. Yon 
Mayer, and play with Jane in Happyland. 
Do-re is coming out here to-day; he has 
quite a piece of news for you, Alys.” 

When she was alone, Alys wondered what 
Do-re was going to tell her. She was still 
thinking about it when Jane Lawrie ap- 
peared, and the two little girls played 
house ” all the morning long. 

Shortly after J ane had gone home to din- 
ner, Alys was arranging her toys in Happy- 
land, when Nora called from the window:— 
Would you like to have your lunch in 
Happyland to-day, Alys? ” 

Oh, yes, Nora, I would like very much 
to have my lunch out here.” 

311 


312 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

Well, then, you shall,’’ said Nora, turn- 
ing away from the window, while Alys 
busied herself clearing the rustic table. 

In the midst of her preparations Do-re 
walked into Happyland. 

I thought I’d find you out here,” he 
said by way of greeting. 

Alys clapped her hands, when she saw 
him, and, when Nora appeared with the 
tray, she insisted on setting a place for 
Do-re, although he explained that he had 
dined in town. 

This is a jolly surprise,” said Do-re, 
seating himself at the rustic table opposite 
Alys; ‘‘ but I assure you that I had no inten- 
tion of making trouble for you, Nora.” 

’Tis no throuble at all, sor, ’tis a pleas- 
ure,” answered Nora. 

Thank you,” said Do-re, while Alys 
leaned over and remarked in an audible 
whisper:— 

Nora likes you now. Do-re, ’cause she 
knows you’re not ’sponsible.” 

The young man threw back his head, and 
laughed uproariously, while Nora hurried 
into the house. 


A REEL AND A RIDDLE 


313 


Now, Alys, tell me all about the doings 
in Happy land/’ 

Yes, I’ll tell you everything. Do-re, but 
first I want you to tell me something; 
mother said you had quite a piece of news.” 

‘‘ Yes, I have lots of news for you, Alys.” 

Well, tell me the surprise first. Do-re.” 

Guess what it is, Alys.” 

Is it a pleasant surprise for me, 
Do-re? ” 

To Alys’s amazement. Do-re’s face so- 
bered instantly. 

Little girl,” he replied, I hope not.” 

Well, then, I’m afraid that I could 
never guess it. Do-re, so please tell me what 
it is.” 

Well, Alys, I’m going away.” 

Away! Do you mean away off?— Far 
—far away? ” 

Yes, I mean far away. I’m going way 
across the Atlantic Ocean.” 

‘‘ Then you must be going to Germany, 
where my father lived when he was a boy! ” 

That’s just where I’m going, Alys. I’m 
going to live in a little German city where 
your father spent many years.” 


314 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

Why are you going? ’’ 

I’m going to try to be a musician.” 

But you are a musician, Do-re.” 

A very poor one, Alys, and I want to be 
a great one. If your father had time, Alys, 
perhaps he could make me one; but he has 
given me a letter to his old teacher. Now, 
if there is any good in me, little girl, he will 
discover it, and bring it out. And, do you 
know, Alys, that it is Uncle John who has 
made it possible for me to go! Yes, my 
dear, I think I owe it all to you, child, for 
he is a changed man. And I’m going to 
study— I’m going to work, as I never 
worked before in all my life. Do you un- 
derstand, child? ” 

Oh, yes, I understand. Do-re. You want 
to be a great musician, just like my father.” 

Exactly, Alys. But if, after a fair trial, 
your father’s old friend finds that I can 
never be a great musician, I shall put away 
the violin, Alys, and do something else.” 
What? ” 

‘‘Oh! I might unwind the reel.” 

“ Unwind the reel! ” exclaimed Alys. 
“ Do you mean for me? ” 


A REEL AND A RIDDLE 315 

For you, Alys, and for anybody who 
cares to read what comes off the reel.’’ 

Well, I shall miss you very much, when 
you go away off. Do-re! ” 

<< Why do you think you’ll miss me? ” 
‘‘I’ll miss you because I love you, don’t 
you see? ” 

Do-re was silent. There was an un- 
fathomable look in his gray eyes, that no 
one had ever seen there before. 

“I’ll never forget that, Alys,” he said 
gravely. “ When I’m far away, in that 
little G-erman city. I’ll always remember 
that the very nicest little girl in the whole 
world told me that she would miss me 
because she loves me.” 

“ But I’ll miss the reel most of all. Do-re. 
Oh, I’ll miss that turrible! ” 

Do-re laughed joyously. “ Alys,” he said 
in a whisper, “I’ve an inspiration. I won’t 
need the reel over there, at least not for a 
while, so I’ll leave it behind! I’ll give it to 
you to keep safely for me here in Happy- 
land.” 

“ But how can you do that? ” said Alys, 
a puzzled look in her eyes. . “ You said that 


316 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


the reel was inside your head, with stories 
and jingles all around it.’^ 

’Twas the truth, sweet maid! ” 

Well, then. Do-re, how are you going 
to get it out? I don’t understand.” 

Love will find a way, Alys! Why, 
you’ve no idea all the wonderful things that 
love can do in this old world.” 

Oh, goody! Goody! ” cried Alys, begin- 
ning to believe, in spite of herself. 

‘‘As I said before,” went on Do-re, 
“ I’ve had an inspiration. Next time I 
come to Happyland, I’ll have the reel with 
me.” 

“ Oh, I’m so glad. Do-re! I just love 
your jingles. Will you tell me a little one 
now, please? ” 

“ An ancient owl sat on a tree, 

Looking as wise as wise could be. 

‘ Hoot! hoot! who wants wisdom from me? ^ 

^ Wise owl/ said a fat little frog in a fright, 

‘ Healthy frogs should be heard and not seen in the 
night. 

But wisdom is welcome, please answer me right. 

“ ' Tell me why, Mr. Owl, does a little dog wiggle. 
And, answer me true, why does a maid giggle, 


A REEL AND A RIDDLE 


317 


Also why does a boy — and he does, it is said — 
Yearn to throw stones at a poor froggy’s head? * 


^ Hoot! hoot! ’ said the owl, ^ ’tis easy to say, — 
The reason for each is transparent as clay. 


“ ‘ A doggie must wiggle, ’tis his way to giggle; 

And all girls may giggle, ’tis their way to wiggle; 

And boys yearn for frogs, quite proper in season, — 
Come near, little frog, and I’ll whisper the reason.’ ” 

‘‘ Thank you, Do-re, that was a funny 
jingle. Oh! I shall be so glad to have your 
reel when you go away.’’ 

I’ll be glad, too. It was a happy 
thought,” said the youth; “ for you can’t 
possibly forget your old playmate with his 
reel at your hand.” 

Why, it’s wonderful. Do-re! It’s just 
like the fairies, to take a reel out of your 
head and give it to me. Tell me some more 
about it, please.” 

u There is nothing more to be said, Alys. 
You’ll see my reel with your own eyes, and 
you’ll hear my jingles and stories, and now, 
Alys, let us plan to do something good be- 
fore I go. What would you like? ” 


318 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

Oh! D’o-re, I’d like to have a party.” 

‘‘ You shall have one, Alys.” 

And I want it to be the biggest party 
in the world! I want every boy and girl in 
this world to come, you know.” 

Alys! Alys! what a head you have! 
I’m afraid, Alys, that it couldn’t be as big 
as that.” 

But, Do-re, you helped me plan the 
biggest doll party in the world, when I was 
Alys- All- Alone, didn’t you? ” 

‘‘ Yes, I certainly did.” 

‘‘ Well, then, why can’t I have the big- 
gest bo3^-and-girl party in the world? ” 

‘‘ Let me think, Alys! You want a party, 
and you want every little girl and boy in 
your world invited, don’t you? ” 

Yes.” 

And your world is Brightwood? ” 

Yes.” 

<< Why, then, Alys, I think we can do it! ” 

Oh, goody! Do-re. I want Jane Law- 
rie, and Mignon, and Dorothy, and the 
twins, and Norma, and Freddy Smith; and 
I want Mamie Carr, the little girl who had 
a doll made out of her grandmother’s petti- 


A REEL AND A RIDDLE 319 

coat; and I want Jimmy Nichols, and 
Tommy Ryan, and, oh! Do-re, please ask 
all the Bunches*’^ 

The Bimches! Who are the Bunches, 
Alys? ’’ 

They live in a little, old house, on the 
edge of a marsh, and there’s ever and ever 
so many of them.” 

How many Bunches are there, Alys? ” 
There’s so many of them that their 
father and mother cannot see them all at 
once, and sometimes they get lost in other 
peoples’ places.” 

‘‘ Very careless of them, Alys! ” 

Well, perhaps, if I had a brother 
Danny, and Billy, and Johnny, and Jimmy, 
and Bernie, and Mikey; and a sister Nelly, 
and Katie, and Birdie, and Mamie, and 
Maggie, father and mother would never 
miss me if I got lost; and they’d never 
know if I threw a stone at a big apple, when 
I was hungry, now would they? ” 

No, Alys, I suppose they wouldn’t; and 
I think it would be better and kinder in 
every way to have only as many little 
Bunches as the big Bunches could take care 


320 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

of— but we are getting into deep water I 
Now, if you were one of the little Bunches, 
what would you suggest to make things 
happier? ’’ 

I’d suggest a party. Do-re; a lovely 
party! They never had one, and they’re 
hungry all the time, Nora says so.” 

A party is good, Alys; but don’t you 
see, my dear, that the lovely party would 
happen just once, and then all the Bunches 
would be hungry again, and get lost again, 
and steal apples again, and make trouble 
again? ” 

‘‘ Well, then. Do-re, what shall we 
do?” 

‘‘It’s a problem, Alys, a big, big prob- 
lem, that wiser heads than mine are trying 
to solve.” 

At this point J ane Lawrie appeared, with 
Arabella in her arms. 

When she saw Do-re and Alys seated at 
the rustic table, she stopped suddenly, and 
then came forward smiling. 

“ How do you do, Jane, and how is the 
Lady Arabella? ” asked Do-re. “ And 
doesn’t Arabella look smart! Hasn’t she 


A REEL AND A RIDDLE 321 

had a whitewash, or new clothes, or some- 
thing? '' 

These questions were the signal for a 
complete explanation from both Jane and 
Alys, who straightway related the story of 
Arabella’s new clothes. 

And that reminds me,” said Do-re, 

that Uncle John showed me a doll that he 
found on his library table.” 

That’s my Vixen,” cried Alys. I for- 
got all about her.” 

Do-re was about to speak when Freddy 
Smith walked into Happyland, with his new 
kite. 

<< There’s a good, stiff wind blowing,” 
said Freddy, ‘‘ and I thought it would be 
a good day for the kite.” 

Just the day! ” cried Do-re. Come* 
out in the field with me, children, and we’ll 
help Freddy fiy his kite.” 

Waggles gave a bark of joy at this 
invitation, and ran on ahead to clear 
the way, as it were, and they all hurried 
into a two-acre lot, near by, to try the 
kite. 

The pleasant afternoon slipped away, and 


322 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

at last Do-re declared that he had to take 
the next train for the city. 

A whole bevy of boys and girls escorted 
this popular young man to the depot, and 
then stood and waved their hands till the 
train was out of sight. 


CHAPTER XXVII 

AUF WIEDERSEHEN 

“ ‘ 'W THO is it that walks this way, 

\ So like the empress of Noreen-a? 

▼ ▼ Is it true what people say, 

That youTe the girl from Skib-a- 
reen-a? ' 

‘ Fm the girl that makes them talk. 

And walk along, ^ says Nora Creina. 

Xora stopped short in the midst of her 
song when Alys bounded into the kitchen. 

Oh! Nora, you are singing beautifully! 
I heard you Vay out in the woods. Oh! 
Nora, it sounds like a pretty jingle; per- 
haps you have a reel in your head.” 

Ne’er a reel, Alys darlin’. IVe some- 
thin’ betther nor that in me head to-day! ” 
What is it, Nora? ” 

Nora gave a peal of laughter. Her eyes 
were dancing in her head as she said:— 
Whist, darlin’; come here an’ I’ll whis- 
per it—’tis a secret! ” 

323 


324 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

Alys stood on her tiptoes, an expectant 
smile on her little face, while the maid bent 
over her, and said in a stage whisper;— 

“ Wedding Bells! ’’ 

‘‘Oh! have you wedding bells in your 
head, Nora? 

“ Sh— say it soft!— I have that, Alys; 
an’ they’re ringing like a town-fire this 
day! ” 

“ How funny, Nora! Did you ever hear 
them before? ” 

“ Faith I did, Alys; but ’twas a false 
alarm! This time it’s the rale thing! ” 

“ What do you mean, Nora? ” 

“ I mane that Tim and me are going to 
be married, at last! ’’ 

“Oh! Nora, are you going away from 
me? ” 

“ Not far, Alys. I’m only going to live 
up on the great hill. Tim, as you know, has 
a fine place up there, and, when he tould 
Professor Grayle that he was going to 
marry, the kind-hearted man gave him the 
cottage to live in.” 

“ Professor Grayle is a dear, good, kind 
man, Nora, isn’t he? ” 


AUF WIEDERSEHEN 325 

He is, darlin’; but, wait! Who was it 
spoke for my Tim, up there, and who has 
been my very best friend? ’’ 

I know,^’ flashed Alys; it was 
Do-re! ” 

It was! Heaven bless him! ” cried 
Nora. That lad has a heart as big as the 
sea; an’ to think that I used to frown at 
him, wid his little sisthers ! and his 
whims! Shure the bhoy’s full o’ play, 
that’s all, an ’twas a lonely life he had up 
there, my Tim tells me, an’ a stem old man 
was his uncle; but now there’s a change, 
thanks be! Mr. Pratt, who has lived wid 
the Professor for near thirty years, says the 
Professor is a changed man, an’ a happier 
man, an’ he’s taken back the lad, an’ oh! 
Alys, everything comes out right, if we only 
wait! ’tis a flne worrld, afther all! ” 

Oh! I’m so glad to hear it,” cried Alys, 
clapping her hands in childish glee. ‘‘I’m 
happy, happy! ” 

Nora put her hands on her hips, and 
laughed gloriously. “ Happy, is it? Be- 
gorra, I’m so chuck full o’ happiness, to- 
day, that Brightwood is Heaven an’ your- 


326 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

self, darlin’, its bright angel! Now run 
away, and let me do me worrk.’’ 

Then Alys flew up-stairs to tell her 
mother all the happy news. 

,When Mr. Clover heard that Do-re was 
going away, and that he had planned a sort 
of farewell party for all of Alys’s little 
friends, the philanthropist of beautiful 
Brierwood begged to be allowed to enter 
into the scheme of things. 

The result was the biggest party in the 
country, and it took place one lovely sum- 
mer afternoon, in Brierwood. 

All the children who lived in that pretty 
suburb, and all the young folks of Bright- 
wood, besides scores of others, were invited 
to come, and they all agreed that they had 
the most delightful time in their lives. Mr. 
Clover placed his great touring car at the 
disposal of the children who lived at a dis- 
tance, and Peter was busy all day long car- 
rying groups of boys and girls to the scene 
of the merry-making. 

I am not going to tell you of the good 
times they had, of all the games they 


AUF WIEDERSEHEN 327 

played, of the pretty songs they sung, and 
the fine stories that were told. It would 
take too long. I may not even hint of the 
ices, and the cakes, and the tarts, and the 
goodies that disappeared that day. But I 
will say that you never saw so many happy 
children together in all your life, and the 
best of it was, Norma Norris forgot that she 
wore a beautifully enbroidered white dress, 
and played tag with Mamie Carr, who was 
jubilant in a clean calico tier; and Tommy 
Ryan^s old shoes held just as happy a pair 
of little feet as the patent leathers that 
shone on Frederick Buckminster Smith; 
while dear little Jane Lawrie’s old red plaid 
dress was in happy evidence all that day. 
And as for the Bunches! why! they just 
grouped themselves into a jolly family 
party, Danny, and Mikey, and Johnny, and 
Bernie, and Billy, and Nelly, and Katie, and 
Mamie, and Maggie, and Lizzie, and they 
ate ice-cream until Mrs. Clover trembled 
for the consequences. 

When the party was over, and the last 
load of children had been safely deposited 
in their homes, the visitors from Happy- 


328 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

land said good-by to their friends at Brier- 
wood. Do-re sat in the big touring car, 
with Jane and Alys on either side of him, 
and this lively young man was in one of his 
happiest moods, if one could judge by the 
jingles he sang to the two little girls. 

There was a little man, 

And his name was Bill, 

And he lived on the top 
Of a very high hill. 

He never had a laugh. 

And he says he never will! 

Let^s all go up 
And tickle Bill! ” 

That was the very last jingle he whis- 
pered as the car stopped at Happyland. 
But he stayed to tea that night, and, after- 
ward, he and Alys had a talk together in 
the Castle of Sunshine. 

Do you realize, Alys,” said Do-re, 
that I am not coming out to Brightwood 
again? I start for Germany in a few days.” 

You haven’t forgotten about the reel 
that you were going to give me, have you. 
Do-re? ” 

No, indeed, Alys. I remember per- 
fectly.” 


AUF WIEDERSEHEN 329 

And is it full of lovely stories and jin- 
gles, Do-re? ’’ 

There is an almost unlimited supply, 
Alys, and the best of it is, when this supply 
gets low, your father will let me know, and 
111 see that the stock is replenished! ’’ 

‘‘Oh! you queer Do-re! I don’t under- 
stand it at all. If you are going away off 
to Germany, how can you take the reel out 
of your head, and give it to me, with stories 
and jingles on it? ” 

“You trust me, Alys, don’t you? ” 

“ Oh, yes! ” 

“Well then, little girl, all I can say is 
that, when you see the reel, you’ll under- 
stand.” 

“ And* when am I going to see it. Do-re? ” 

“ This very night! ” 

“ I can hardly wait! ” cried Alys. “It’s 
going to be just the dearest thing that ever 
happened.” 

“ There is something infinitely dearer to 
me,” said Do-re; “ the precious memories 
that I shall carry away with me.” 

“ Oh, you mean all the fun that we had 
in the Castle of Sunshine, don’t you? ” 


330 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

“Yes, I mean everything, Alys; every- 
thing that has given me a glimpse of the 
dearest child heart and mind in the world/’ 
“Oh! Dore, do you remember the day 
you first made the Sunshine Factory? ” 

“ Perfectly.” 

“ And do you remember the biggest doll 
party in the world? ” 

“Yes, indeed.” 

“ And do you remember when Nora took 
the broom, and chased all the little sisters 
of the poor,— do you remember that? ” 

“ If I lived a thousand years I’d never 
forget that, Alys.” 

“ And, Do-re, will you ever forget the 
night that I was lost, and you brought me 
to the lovely theatre, and then I found my 
own beautiful mother? ” 

“I’ll never forget it, child. There’s your 
mother now, singing; let’s go down-stairs.” 

There was an impromptu musicale that 
night in Happyland. The musician played 
like the genius that he was, and Alys’s 
mother sang as she had never sung before 
in her life. Dear little Alys was permitted 
to stay up one whole hour past her bed- 


AUF WIEDERSEHEN 


331 


time, just because it was Do-re’s last eve- 
ning with them all. 

At last the hands of the clock pointed to 
the time that he had to take leave of his 
friends. 

I don’t like to say good-by,” said 
Do-re, so I’m going to say ^ auf wieder- 
selfienJ' ” 

‘‘I’m sorry it’s good-by for a long 
time,” said Alys, and, putting both arms 
around his neck, she kissed him. But Do-re 
whispered, so low that no one heard him, 
“ Not good-by but ‘ auf wiedersehen; ’ ” 
then he was gone. 

“Oh! father,” cried Alys, when the door 
had closed on her friend, “ Do-re forgot the 
reel! ” 

“ No, he didn’t, Alys; Do-re never for- 
gets that reel,” laughed the musician. 

“ Did he really leave the reel for 
me? ” 

“ He did, my dear; we’ll take a peek at 
it before you go to bed.” 

Alys was not sorry to be carried up-stairs 
that night in her father^s arms, for she was 
very tired, but she jumped to the floor as 


332 ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 

they reached the Castle of Sunshine, and 
looked in. 

Come in,’’ said mother. Here’s the 
reel.” 

One phase of the reel, rather,” added 
the musician. 

Alys stared in wonder, for there, on a 
small table, was something that looked like 
a wooden box, painted brown. 

Is that the reel? ” cried Alys. 

Her father’s shoulders were shaking with 
laughter as he answered: 

That’s the present reel, Alys; by and 
by, when you go to school, and have learned 
to read, the reel may take the form of a 
pretty book.” 

But, that’s a phonograph, father! 
Where are the jingles?— I wanted a reel 
that had jingles! ” 

‘‘ This reel is full of jingles, Alys! Just 
to prove it. I’ll turn the handle, and we’ll 
have one before we go to bed.” 

The musician approached the reel, and, 
turning a tiny handle at its side, which thus 
far had escaped Alys’s sleepy eyes, he un- 
wound the following: 


AUF WIEDERSEHEN 
A LITTLE GIRL^S WISH 


333 


“ I wish the frozen ponds and rills 
Were made of candy ices; 

I wish the moon was orange cake, 

And dropped right down in slices. 

I wish the twigs and tiny sticks 
Were made of sugar candy; 

And pebbly rocks were caramels, — 

How good ’twould be and handy! 

I like to make mud pies, of course; 

But, if mud were molasses, 

IM make and bake a batch of pies, — 

Enough to feed the masses! 

“ I wish that clay — just plain old clay — 

Was fudge, ten inches thick. 

And I could eat it all day long. 

And never once get sick. 

“ I wish it just rained lemonade. 

And snowed down chocolate creams. 

And boys and girls could eat them all. 

And never have bad dreams! ” 

Oh! now I understand! Do-re talked 
a lot of lovely stories and jingles into that 
phonograph for me, before he went away, 
didn’t he? ” 

Yes, darling, that is just what he did; 


334 


ALYS IN HAPPYLAND 


and, when this supply is exhausted, we’ll 
have another! ” 

Oh! what a dear,” said Alys, drowsily. 
‘‘ Unwind just one more, father, and then 
I’ll go to bed.” 

Again the musician turned the magic reel. 
This time it was to say good night, a 
good night ” that was almost as good as 
if Do-re, himself, were there, to croon it in 
Alys’s ears. 

Good night, little girl, my daylight pearl, 

Good night. The birds are still. 

And Earth^s fair flowers are fairy bowers. 

By mount, and vale, and rill. 

“ And over the world, with flag unfurled. 

The dream-king ^gins his reign; 

While his armies ride, and his armies hide. 

In weary mortal brain. 

Good night, little one — little human sun. 

That shines when old night closes; 

Thy bright eyes true, ’neath day-skies blue. 

Are twin stars for the roses. 

Good night, good night, good night, good night! 
Earth’s dearest i’ the making. 

God’s angels stay, at peep o’ day, 

To kiss thee, sweet, awaking.” 


THE END. 


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“ I cannot think of any better book for children than 
this. I commend it unreservedly.” — Cyrus T. Brady. 
TILDA JANE’S ORPHANS. A Sequel to “Tilda 
Jane.” By Marshall Saunders. 

One vol., 12mo, fully illustrated, cloth decorative, $1.50 
Tilda Jane is the same original, delightful girl, and as 
fond of her animal pets as ever. 

“ There is so much to this story that it is almost a novel 
— in fact it is better than many novels, although written 
for only young people. Compared with much of to-day’s 
juveniles it is quite a superior book.” — Chicago Tribune. 

THE STORY OF THE GRAVELYS. By 

Marshall Saunders, author of “ Beautiful Joe’s 
Paradise,” “ ’Tilda Jane,” etc. 

Library 12mo, cloth decorative. Illustrated by E. B. 

Barry $1.50 

Here we have the haps and mishaps, the trials and 
triumphs, of a delightful New England family. 

PUSSY BLACK - FACE. By Marshall Saunders, 
author of “ ’Tilda Jane,” “ ’Tilda Jane’s Orphans,” etc. 
Library 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . $1.50 

This is a delightful little story of animal life, written 
in this author’s best vein, dealing especially with Pussy 
Black-Face, a little Beacon Street (Boston) kitten, who is 
the narrator. 

B— 16 


BOOJCS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 


FAMOUS LEADERS SERIES 

By CHARLEB H, L, JOHNSTON 
Each, large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . $1.50 

FAMOUS CAVALRY LEADERS 

Biographical sketches, with anecdotes and reminiscenses, 
of the heroes of history who were leaders of cavalry. 

“More of such books should be written, books that 
acquaint young readers with historical personages in a 
pleasant informal way.” — N. Y. Sun. 

FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS 

In this book Mr. Johnston gives interesting sketches of 
the Indian braves who have figured with prominence in 
the history of our own land. 

FAMOUS PRIVATEERSMEN AND ADVEN- 
TURERS OF THE SEA 

In this volume Mr. Johnston tells interesting stories 
about the famous sailors of fortune. 

FAMOUS SCOUTS 

“ It is the kind of a book that will have a great fascina- 
tion for boys and yoimg men and while it entertains them 
it will also present valuable information in regard to those 
who have left their impress upon the history of the country. 
— The New London Day. 

FAMOUS FRONTIERSMEN AND HEROES 
OF THE BORDER 

This book is devoted to a description of the adventur- 
ous lives and stirring experiences of many pioneer heroes 
who were prominently identified with the opening of the 
great west. 


RALPH SOMERBY AT PANAMA 

By Francis Raleigh. 

Large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . $1.50 

Real buccaneers who overran the Spanish main, and 
adventurers who figured prominently in the sack of 
Panama, all enter into the life of Ralph Somerby, a young 
English lad, on his way to the colony in Jamaica. After 
a year of wandering and adventure he covers the route of 
the present Panama Canal. 

B— 17 


L. C. PAGE <Sr* COMPANY'S 


THE DOCTOR’S LITTLE GIRL 

By Marion Ames Taggart. 

One vol., library 12mo, illustrated . . . $1.50 

A thoroughly enjoyable tale of a little girl and her com- 
rade father, written in a delightful vein of sympathetic 
comprehension of the child’s point of view. 

“ The characters are strongly drawn with a life-like real- 
ism, the incidents are well and progressively sequenced, 
and the action is so well timed that the interest never 
slackens.” — Boston Ideas. 

SWEET NANCY 

The Further Adventures of the Doctor’s Little 
Girl. By Marion Ames Taggart. 

One vol., library 12mo, illustrated . . . $1.50 

In the new book, the author tells how Nancy becomes 
in fact “ the doctor’s assistant,” and continues to shed 
happiness around her. 

NANCY, THE DOCTOR’S LITTLE PART- 
NER 

By Marion Ames Taggart. ^ 

One vol., library 12mo, illustrated . . . $1.50 

In Nancy Porter, Miss Taggart has created one of the 
most lovable child characters in recent years. In the 
new story she is the same bright and cheerful little maid. 

NANCY PORTER’S OPPORTUNITY 

By Marion Ames Taggart. 

One vol., library 12mo, illustrated . . . $1.50 

Already as the “ doctor’s partner ” Nancy Porter has 
won the affection of her readers, and in the same lovable 
manner she continues in the new book to press the key- 
notes of optimism and good-will. 

BORN TO THE BLUE 

By Florence Kimball Russel. 

12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . . . $1.25 

The atmosphere of army life on the plains breathes on 
every page of this delightful tale. The boy is the son of a 
captain of U. S. cavalry stationed at a frontier post in the 
days when our regulars earned the gratitude of a nation. 
B— 18 














